Game Preview: Carolina at Pittsburgh

The Hurricanes will visit the Igloo for a matchup with the Pens tonight at 7:30. This is the third time these two have met this season. The previous games were won by the home team each time. There is still some lingering animosity between these two teams since last year when Brooks Orpik took out Hurricane's winger, Erik Cole, with a tremendous hit. Cole subsequently missed several weeks of action recovering from the injury.

Look for an aggresive start form both teams, as each will be trying to exert their dominance early on. The game should be relatively low scoring, and there will be some big hits!

Injury Update: Marc Andre Fleury is close to returning to the ice after an 8 week recovery from a high ankle sprain. Fleury has been practicing with the team and should make his return in the next 3 or 4 games.

News of Note: Kris Beech finally got his papers in order and was able to cross the Canadian/US border to join his new teammates. Beech, in his second stint with the Penguins, has been waiting in Toronto for his work visa to be approved. He was a first round draft pick (7th overall)of the Washington Capitals in 2000 and has recently been bouncing around the NHL trying to find a place to call home. He has played in Nashville, Vancouver and Columbus along with Pittsburgh and Washington. In 193 career games in the NHL he has scored 25 goals and 42 assists. He may forever be best know for his role in the Pens sending Jaromir Jagr to the Capitals. Kris was the so-called centerpiece of the three players the Pens got in return. Beech was a highly touted prospect coming out of juniors that never lived up to his billing. Here's to Kris finding a home, and a scoring touch, in the 'Burgh! Best of luck!