Senators at Penguins
THE STORY: The return of Sidney Crosby has been a feast-and-famine affair through the first two games of the comeback. Crosby will be looking to get back on the scoresheet Friday against an Ottawa Senators club that has given him plenty of problems over the course of his career. After scoring twice and adding two assists in his return from a 10 1/2-month layoff, Crosby was held without a point in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 24-year-old sensation has just four goals and 13 assists in 20 career games against Ottawa - his worst output against any opponent Crosby has faced that many times. This year's version of the Senators may be ripe for the picking, ranked second-last in the Eastern Conference in goals against (70) with a game in hand on Toronto (70) and two on Carolina (76). Ottawa has been better of late - but then, the club hasn't had to face Pittsburgh's formidable offense.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet East, TVA, Root.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (10-9-2): Ottawa has put together a good stretch of hockey, going 3-0-1 over its last four games. The Senators are guaranteed a winning record on their six-game road trip that wraps up Friday against Pittsburgh. Even more impressive is the fact that the Senators have held opponents to two or fewer goals in each of their last four games. Forward Jason Spezza, who leads the team in scoring, has 33 points in 28 career games against Pittsburgh.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (12-6-4): Last year, a dismal October was all that prevented goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from wedging his way into the Vezina Trophy discussion. That problem has been rectified this season, as Fleury got off to a sizzling start and has maintained that level of play throughout the first quarter of the campaign. The former first overall pick, who turns 27 on Tuesday, sits second in the league in wins (11), seventh in goals-against average (1.96) and eighth in save percentage (.930).
OVERTIME:
1. Spezza hasn't scored in 10 games, and has recorded just five assists in that span.
2. Pittsburgh prevailed in three of four meetings last season, limiting the Senators to eight games in the head-to-head series.
3. Penguins F Evgeni Malkin has fared far better against Ottawa than his famous teammate, scoring 12 goals and adding eight assists in 19 career meetings.