Sharks vs Penguins Game Day 62

Tonight marks the first and only match-up between these two clubs during the '10-'11 regular season. San Jose currently is streaking winning four straight, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, and winning 13 of their past 16 games with Niemi in net. Niemi has recorded three shutouts in this span and has five so far this season, Niemi was the rookie goaltender who won the Stanley Cup last year with the Blackhawks.

Pittsburgh is coming into this match-up 4-5-1 in their past 10 games, playing to no ones surprise, .500 hockey. This club unfortunately is on a 2 game losing streak, with both losses coming in back-to-back games, Sunday against Niemi's former team Chicago, then only to be shutout the next night 1-0 again by Michael Neuvirth and the Capitals. Tonight's game is the third this week for the Penguins, in a long week that has a game on the schedule five out of the seven days, the 'guins will face the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs in another set of back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.

Two new players joined the Pen's this week in James Neal and Matt Niskanen from the Dallas stars in exchange for Alex Goligoski. Essentially the biggest focus this game is going to be getting the newbies acclimated to the system and their teammates. Neal is expected to play his game and continue to be an offensive threat. Neal has a lot of experience against the Sharks and was included in helping prepare for tonight's match-up.

The Penguins will be wearing their Powder Blues for the second to last time this season, they're 7-3-0 when wearing the light blues so far this year. They are 1-1 when wearing the new dark blue Winter Classic jerseys. 

Actual lines and defensive pairings for the Penguins based on tonight's broadcast:

James Neal - Jordan Staal - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Craig Adams -  Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Max Talbot - Chris Conner
Brett Sterling - Joe Vitale - Tim Wallace

Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Deryk Engelland - Zbynek Michalek
Matt Niskanen - Ben Lovejoy

Marc Andre Fleury will be between the pipes for the Penguins tonight. 

Win this game and get off the snide, then show me what you've got in person on Friday when I'm at RBC Center enjoying the game from my box seats.

Lets go Pens!