The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (35-13-3-2, 75 points) are set to face off against the Cleveland Monsters (28-16-6-1, 63 points) tonight at 7:00 PM MST at Rocket Arena. This game will be a significant test for the Penguins as they aim to strengthen their lead in the standings. The contest will be televised on FLO Sports, offering fans an in-depth look at this intense rivalry.
Recent Performance and Previous Encounters Between Teams
The Penguins are coming off a strong 4-0 victory over the Islanders on Sunday and have achieved a 3-1-1-0 record over their last five matchups, averaging 3.6 goals scored per game and allowing 2.8 goals against. Earlier this month, they faced the Monsters on February 15th but were edged out in overtime by a 4-3 score.
The Cleveland Monsters enter this game with confidence after a 4-2 win over the Rochester Americans on Wednesday. Their recent five-game run stands at 4-1-0-0, scoring 3.4 goals per game while giving up 2.4. The Monsters will look to continue their momentum from their overtime victory over the Penguins earlier this month.
Expected Lineups for Tonight’s Match
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ projected lineup features Hallander, Klassen, and Koivunen leading the offense, supported by McGroarty, Broz, Harvey, and Pinard. The third and fourth lines will roll with McDonough, Huglen, Ferstrom, and Imama, Calvert, Howe. Defensively, Pickering partners with Harding, Aho with Dumba, Pieniniemi with Kemp, while Blomqvist and Murashov round out the roster in net and support roles.
For the Cleveland Monsters, the forward group includes Malatesta, Del Bel Belluz, and Pyyhtia, with Ashton, Reese, Guance, and Dumais supporting. The third and fourth lines feature Pinelli, Sillinger, Ahcan, and Pearson, Williams, Fasching. Defensively, Richard pairs with Mayo, MacDonald with Ceulemans, and Butcher with Marrelli, with Fedotov and Sawchenko anchoring the goaltending positions.
Key Players to Keep an Eye On
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Tristan Broz leads his team in points with 33 and tops their active roster in goals scored with 14 this season. Ville Koivunen is their top playmaker, commanding 21 assists. Rookie Finn Harding has made a strong impact defensively, boasting a plus/minus rating of +23.
The Cleveland Monsters’ offensive efforts are spearheaded by Luca Del Bel Belluz, who leads in overall points with 42, including 14 goals and 28 assists. Rookie Guillaume Richard stands out on defense with a plus/minus rating of +9 among active players.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Rematch at Rocket Arena
The two teams are scheduled to meet again tomorrow, February 28, with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins traveling back to face the Cleveland Monsters. This series promises to maintain its intensity as both squads strive for playoff positioning in the tight AHL race.
