Ducks at Penguins
THE STORY: Jonas Hiller has been on a sensational roll as of late. The Swiss netminder has posted an 11-2-3 mark over his last 16 games as the Anaheim Ducks are doing their best to overcome their woeful start to the season and make a charge toward the playoffs. Should Hiller receive the start on Wednesday, his task will be a tough one as the Ducks visit the red-hot Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSPT, ROOT
ABOUT THE DUCKS (23-24-9): Reigning Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry recorded his fifth goal in four contests and 13th in 2012 as Anaheim posted a 2-1 triumph over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Perry has four goals in six career games versus Pittsburgh. With his next point, future Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne will move past Brett Hull for sole possession of 21st place on the NHL's all-time scoring list. The Finn has 1,391 career points. The Ducks are 2-0-1 on their current eight-game road trip and 6-1-3 in their last 10 away from home. After a 13-2-3 surge, Anaheim sits eight points behind eighth-place Phoenix in the Western Conference.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (32-19-5): Malkin, who was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week, scored twice in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The talented Russian has been leading the charge at home, registering goals in eight straight games in the Steel City. Malkin needs to continue the trend for five more games to tie team owner Mario Lemieux - although he only has scored once in five career games versus Anaheim.
OVERTIME:
1. After getting a rare day off, Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury will vie for his 30th win of the season on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Quebec native has won four of five career starts against the Ducks.
2. Anaheim recalled G Jeff Deslauriers from Syracuse of the American Hockey League and sent G Iiro Tarkki to the Crunch.