vs.     

–

–

Atlantic Division Semifinal — Game 3

Who: Charlotte Checkers

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

When: 7:05 p.m.

Series: Charlotte leads 2-0 (Best of Five)

Last Game: Saturday night in Charlotte, the Penguins and Checkers were 1-1 late in the third period when Josiah Didier scored to give the Checkers the lead. Charlotte scored two empty net goals and took Game 2 4-1. Joseph Cramarossa scored in the games opening minute to give the Penguins at the time, a 1-0 lead.

What to watch for: It is going to have to be a micromanaged game for those that dress tonight for the Penguins. One more loss and the season is over for Wilkes-Barre. The Checkers won seven straight coming in and the first two games in the series for a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Penguins absolutely must capitalize on opportunities given. One power play goal may not do it tonight. But, as history has indicated, if there is any team that can come back from a deficit, it is these Penguins.

Referee(s): Reid Anderson / Jeremy Tufts

Linesmen: Ryan Knapp / J.P. Waleski

When is Game 4?: The Penguins have to win tonight for that to become a reality. If they do, it’s Saturday at 7:05 in Wilkes-Barre.

@     

–

–

Atlantic Division Semifinal — Game 2

Who: Charlotte Checkers

Where: Bojangles Coliseum

When: 6:00 p.m.

Series: Charlotte leads 1-0 (Best of Five)

Last Game: Friday night in Charlotte, the Penguins had a 2-0 lead going into the third period thanks to goals by Andrey Pedan and Daniel Spong but the Checkers charged back for two to tie in the third before scoring in overtime to win Game 1 3-2.

What to watch for: Penguins must win this game to bring it back to Wilkes-Barre 1-1 for potentially three games on home ice to advance. They need to, again, limit penalties, mistakes and maintain composure against a high octane offense that the Checkers employ if they have any hopes of a spit in North Carolina.

Referee(s): Pierre Lambert / Beaudry Halkidis

Linesmen: Libor Suchanek / Ryan Townsend

When is Game 3?: Not till next Thursday, April 26 in Wilkes-Barre.

@     

–

–

Atlantic Division Semifinal — Game 1

Who: Charlotte Checkers

Where: Bojangles Coliseum

When: 7:0 p.m.

Series: Tied 0-0 (Best of Five)

Season Series: Oct. 7: CHA 5 @ WBS 2 — Dec. 8: CHA 2 @ WBS 1 — Mar. 13: WBS 5 @ CHA 2 — Mar. 14: WBS 1 @ CHA 3

Top four scorers for the Penguins vs. the Checkers: 1. Daniel Sprong (4 GP, 2-2-4, -1) — 2. Teddy Blueger (4 GP, 2-1-3, even) — 3. Tom Kostopoulos (3 GP, 1-1-2, -2) — 4. Tom Sestito (1-1-2, even)

Top four scorers for the Checkers vs. the Penguins: 1. Lucas Wallmark (3 GP, 0-5-5, +1) — 2. Andrew Poturalski (4 GP, 2-2-4, +2) — 3. Greg McKegg (2 GP, 2-1-3, even) — 4. Valentin Zykov (4 GP, 2-1-3, even)

What to watch for: Special teams. Penguins need to stay out of the penalty box and capitalize on opportunities when they are on the power play.

Referee(s): Pierre Lambert / Beaudry Halkidis

Linesmen: Libor Suchanek / Tim Lyons

When is Game 2?: Saturday in Charlotte at 6 p.m.

@     

–

Who: Hershey Bears

Where: Giant Center

When: 5:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Allentown, the Penguins locked up home ice in round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 shootout loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Then Penguins needed just one point to get them home ice advantage. For Hershey, the Bears beat the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 Vitek Vanecek stopped 17 of 18 shots for the Bears for the win.

Last Meeting: April 3 in Wilkes-Barre, the Pens won 5-3. Five different Penguins scored for Wilkes-Barre including Sam Lafferty, which was his first professional goal scored.

Record: For WBS: 44-22-6-3 (97 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division) // For HER: 30-36-4-5 (69 pts., 8th place Atlantic Division)

Referee(s): Terry Koharski / Corey Syvret

Linesmen: James Tobias / Bob Goodman

Why You Should Care: Penguins locked up home ice in the first round last night in Allentown, so there is nothing left to play for really. It will be about getting out of this game today in Hershey unscathed if you are a regular player. But don’t look for that to occur, as Clark Donatelli may dress a lineup full of Wheeling regulars and draft picks.

Other Games to Watch: I am giving you two. Charlotte visits Bridgeport and Providence hosts Springfield. A point of any kind and the Checkers are the Penguins first round opponent. A Charlotte loss AND a Providence win of any kind and it’s the Bruins. Providence kicks off at 3:05 and things get started in Bridgeport at 5.

@     

–

Who: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Where: PPL Center

When: 7:05 p.m.

Last Game: Last night in Springfield, the Penguins won 3-2, Daniel Sprong scored his 31st goal of the season, breaking the old rookie records set by Michel Ouellet. For Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms won at home over Bridgeport 5-2. Danick Martel had a pair of goals. Dustin Tokarski stopped 29 of 31 shots.

Last Meeting: February 18 in Allentown, the Penguins lost 4-1. J-S Dea had the only goal for the Pens in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 44-22-6-2 (96 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division) // For LV: 46-19-5-5 (102 pts., 1st place Atlantic Division)

Referee(s): Terry Koharski / Pierre Lambert

Linesmen: Luke Murray / Jud Ritter

Why You Should Care: Penguins are still looking to solidify home ice. A win or a point gets them this. Question is what lineup does Lehigh Valley trot out in their final home game of the season with nothing left to play for?

Other Game to Watch: Providence visits Springfield. A Bruins loss guarantees a first round matchup against Charlotte for the Penguins with home ice to be decided.

Remaining Games: @ HER 4/15

@     

–

Who: Springfield Thunderbirds

Where: Mass Mutual Center

When: 7: 05 p.m.

Last Game: Sunday in Bridgeport, the Penguins won 5-2. Adam Johnson led the way with two goals. Anthony Peters stopped 41 of 43 shots. For Springfield, the Thunderbirds beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 2-0 on Sunday in Hartford. Harri Sateri had a 26 save shutout.

Last Meeting: February 7 in Springfield, the Penguins won 3-1. Three different Penguins scored and Casey DeSmith stopped 23 of 24 shots to pick up the win.

Record: For WBS: 43-22-6-2 (94 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division) // For SPR: 32-34-5-2 (71 pts., 7th place Atlantic Division)

Referee(s): Chris Brown / Cameron Voss

Linesmen: Nick Briganti / Paul Simeon

Why You Should Care: Penguins clinched a spot in the playoffs last weekend, now they look to lock up home ice in round one. A win would be a positive step in that direction. Wilkes-Barre looks to sweep the season series with the Thunderbirds as well.

Other Game to Watch: The two other teams that clinched last weekend, Providence and Charlotte, square off in Providence this weekend. Ideally if you are a Penguins fan you want a Charlotte win to go along with a Wilkes-Barre win. That would eliminate the Bruins starting the first round with home ice.

Remaining Games: @ LV 4/14, @ HER 4/15

@     

–

Who: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Where: Webster Bank Arena

When: 3:00 p.m.

Last Game: Last night at home against the Binghamton Devils, the Penguins locked up their sixteenth straight trip to the Calder Cup Playoffs with a 7-4 win. Christian Thomas had a pair of goals and assisted on another. For Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers were defeated by the Providence Bruins 4-2 and that loss ended the Sound Tigers chances at a postseason berth.

Last Meeting: This past Friday in Wilkes-Barre, Mitch Vande Sompel scored twice and the Sound Tigers defeated the Penguins 4-3. Daniel Sprong and Tom Kostopoulos scored for the Pens in the loss.

Record: For WBS: 42-22-6-2 (92 pts., 2nd place Atlantic Division) // For BRI: 36-28-5-3 (80 pts., 5th place Atlantic Division)

Referee(s): Chris Ciamaga / Olivier Gouin

Linesmen: Luke Galvin / Petr Hejna

Why You Should Care: Pens punched a ticket last night but playoff seeding remains in the balance with nothing guaranteed and nothing confirmed. That said, do the Penguins make lineup changes tonight? All other teams in the division that qualified for the postseason are in action today. Penguins can’t afford a slip up here.

Other Game to Watch: Lehigh Valley visits Providence. Pens still have an outside shot at tops in the division, albeit slim.

Remaining Games: @ SPR 4/13, @ LV 4/14, @ HER 4/15