Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Pittsburgh Penguins live from Pennsylvania on Wednesday night with stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
The health of Sidney Crosby was one of the biggest issues facing the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, but this year, the captain is looking fresh and ready to take on the NHL. The Penguins and Crosby will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on Wednesday night.
Although Crosby has yet to score this season through two games, the star has added one assist as the Penguins are undefeated through two games. So far, the scoring has come from unlikely places, as both Crosby and former MVP Evgeni Makin have been held scoreless this year.
The Penguins won 6-3 against the New York Rangers on Sunday and are ranked fourth in the NHL in scoring after putting nine goals in the nets over two games. The Penguins opened the year with a 3-1 victory against the Flyers. Forward James Neal has been one of the most impressive players for the Penguins, scoring three goals already after having a career season last year after putting in 40 goals and earning 41 assists.
"To be able to get back-to-back wins (and be) four points up on the Rangers with that win, that's two good road wins for our team," coach Dan Bylsma said.
The Penguins made a number of improvements to least years team, including by acquiring goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who will provide insurance for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. The two goalies have split wins this season, with Vokoun getting the victory against the Rangers.
Pittsburgh has been dominant through two games and could start off 3-0-0 for the first time in nearly 10 seasons with a win against Toronto. During the 1994-95 season the Penguins opened by winning 2 of their first 13 games.
The Penguins got started off on a physical foot with the Rangers on Sunday, as forward Tanner Glass fought with Arron Asham right at the start of the game. Neal scored son after and the Rangers never could recover.
"We wanted to get Tanner Glass for a reason," Bylsma said. "He's a physical guy. He can skate well for what he does but he's also a grit and sandpaper guy for our lineup. The first two games, he had a number of physical plays. He had hits in the Philly game and then he steps up at the beginning of the game in New York and sets us up right off the hop."
Center Brandon Sutter has played well so far after the team acquired him for fan-favorite Jordan Staal, who joined his brother with the Hurricanes. The Penguins have been one of the best power play teams in the early season, converting four of six to rank third in the NHL. The team also ranks sixth in the league in penalty kills after successfully surviving eight of nine penalties.
Toronto will offer a tough challenge as the team is looking for its second win after losing 2-1 to Buffalo on Monday. Crosby will be the main focus of the defense, as he has scored 17 goals in 22 career games against the Maple Leafs.
The Canadian club has struggled on offense early in the season, ranking 26th in goals per game with just 1.5. While it's still early in the season, the Maple Leafs only have one power play goal in seven chances and went 0 for 2 with a two-man advantage against the Sabres.
"I didn't think there was any lack of effort with our group," coach Randy Carlyle said. "I thought we were out of sorts in the first period and it showed in the execution of our power play."
Last season the two teams split four matchups, whack Pittsburgh has won three in a row at home.