After two days off, the Pittsburgh Penguins enter the final weekend before Christmas with two games in as many nights. They start the back-to-back weekend on the road up north with a game against the Ottawa Senators. The Sens are 14-14 this season, and opponents have had their way scoring on Ottawa. They have the highest goals against average in the league, giving up 3.44 goals per game. While they may struggle keep opponents off the board, the Sens do have Milan Michalek, who is the NHL's leading goal scorer with 19 so far this season. Michalek, however, is day-to-day with an upper body injury and missed Wednesday's game against the Bruins.
On Saturday night, the Pens return home to Consol Energy Center to face the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres will also be playing their second game of the weekend, after hosting Toronto on Friday night. Buffalo has had an up-and-down season, coping with injuries to All-Star goaltender Ryan Miller. The Pens lost to the Sabres, 3-2, in the second week of the season and will be looking to avenge that loss Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
This weekend's games:
Friday, December 16, 7:30 PM: Pittsburgh at Ottawa - ROOT Sports
Saturday, December 17, 7:00 PM: Buffalo at Pittsburgh - ROOT Sports
For the Penguins complete 2011-12 schedule, click here. For more news, discussion, and analysis on the Pens, visit SB Nation's Penguins blog, Pensburgh.