Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia Flyers - Niittymaki is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fleury is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Flyers, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks - Giguere is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Thrashers.
Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers - Lehtonen is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Ducks.
Jason Bacashihua, St. Louis Blues - Bacashihua is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Avalanche.
Jose Theodore, Colorado Avalanche - Theodore is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Blues.
Year-to-date: 843 / 910 = 92.6%
Wednesday`s top NHL matchups
Associated Press
Wed, Dec 13, 2006
Anaheim Ducks at Atlanta Thrashers
The Ducks will try to extend their record road winning streak to seven games. Five of Anaheim`s last six road wins have been one-goal decisions. Eight of the Ducks` 11 total road wins have also been by one goal.
Atlanta is just 3-6-0 all time versus Anaheim and has been held to two goals or less in each of those losses.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins look to make it five wins in as many meetings this season against the Flyers. Pittsburgh has outscored Philadelphia 20-7 in compiling a 4-0 mark in this season`s series.
Penguins star Sidney Crosby has always played well against the Flyers, and this season has been no exception. He has six goals and three assists in four meetings this season, giving him 13 goals and 23 points in 12 career games against Philadelphia.
The Flyers are 0-3-1 in their last four without several regulars, including star center Peter Forsberg, who missed his fifth straight game with a foot injury.
Also out of the lineup were forwards Geoff Sanderson, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, defensemen Mike Rathje and Denis Gauthier and goaltender Robert Esche. None of those injured players are expected to play Wednesday.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche
The Blues own the league`s worst record and have lost their last eight games overall. St. Louis is one of the most penalized teams in the leagu. St. Louis used veterans Keith Tkachuk and Guerin on the penalty kill on Tuesday, but that didn`t produce any positive results as they allowed Chicago to score twice with the man advantage.
The Avalanche have 12 wins, four regulation losses and three ties in their last 19 meetings with the Blues. Colorado could be without defenseman Jordan Leopold for an undetermined time after he suffered a groin injury Monday. Leopold missed the first two months of the season with a sports hernia.