Chirps from Center Ice

So I think they are getting in the groove. I think they know they have something here and it’s good. They are winning games. They are at the top of the Atlantic pursuing their biggest rival they have not played yet.

They get the Phantoms again midweek, a Friday off and then an Islanders team that gave them fits a few weeks ago but dropped three straight last week. Wilkes-Barre is in a groove, they are looking to stay there.

Music to Set the Mood…

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You know I had to. Also, I heard this song on the radio on my way home from church Sunday and thought it vibed, in case you are wondering.

A Quote…

When you get a groove going, time flies.
— Donald Fagan

The Setup

Trip to Allentown on Wednesday, a Friday off (yes!) then home against Bridgeport for something the Penguins are touting as, “nerd night.”

Yeah, no idea either.

The Phantoms took 5 of 6 points last week, including a win over the Penguins in Tristan Jarry’s swan song and a huge bump in the AHL Power Rankings.

Lehigh Valley also beat Utica (that’s not impressive, the Comets are still winless) and lost to the Penguins last Wednesday in overtime.

Bridgeport saw Springfield score five straight against them in a kids day game then got swept by the Providence Bruins in a home and home. They hosted Hershey in another kids day game Tuesday and lost 5-4 and will be in Hershey Friday.

Records

Penguins are 8-3, good for 16 points and second in the Atlantic. The Phantoms are 5-3-2-1, on 13 points and in fourth and Bridgeport is 2-9-1-1, good for 6 points and last in the Atlantic.

Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Out?

I think having Matt Nieto here on a conditioning stint is good for them because it looked like he was a threat every time he was on the ice Saturday against Rochester, scoring a goal in the process.

Sam Poulin went up Monday.

Mats Lindgren went down Monday.

My Roster Tracker has all the up to date information. Please head there.

What can we learn about the Penguins this week?

I am not still totally sold on the defense, but Saturday was a step in the right direction. Do they give Luke Richardson a start? What’s the status of the always injured Taylor Gauthier?

Eventually they are going to have to turn the reins over to Richardson or recall Musharov from Wheeling. How will they look then?

I think it’s a good schedule this week. Lehigh Valley may not be the pushover we think they were, but again playing Utica and beating Utica isn’t as impressive at all. Friday was a fluke I think in parts with they way they played, and Bridgeport didn’t look good at all last week, hasn’t been all season but gave the Penguins fits when they played a few weeks ago.

Don’t take anything for granted and stay in the groove.

Who’s in Goal?

I don’t think there should be any doubts this week. It’s going to be Filip Larsson both games.

Opposition wise, Cal Petersen for the Phantoms and Henrik Tikkanen for the Islanders.

Who’s Running the Show?

Beau Halkidis and Amanda Tassoni have the assignment in Allentown on Wednesday with Patrick Dapuzzo and John Rey on the lines. No info on Saturday’s crew yet.

Looking Ahead…

Just one next week and it is home next Friday against the Bridgeport Islanders again.

Give us a bold prediction…

They sweep the week and score four power play goals.