Toronto, Ontario (My Sportsbook) - The Pittsburgh Penguins try to avenge their worst opening-game loss ever tonight when they visit the
Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.
Toronto pounded the Penguins, 6-0, at the Igloo last Thursday, led by two goals apiece from Mats Sundin and Alexander Mogilny, and a combined 11 points from a top line that also includes winger Darcy Tucker. Ed Belfour turned aside 33 shots in his Maple Leafs debut and earned his 59th career NHL shutout.
But the Penguins rebounded with a 6-0 victory of their own Saturday night, spoiling the New York Rangers' home opener at Madison Square Garden. Mario Lemieux led the charge with a pair of goals, as his newly-formed line, which also included Aleksey Morozov and Alexei Kovalev, combined for 10 points on the evening. Morozov put two goals and two assists on the board, while Kovalev added three helpers.
Dick Tarnstrom and Randy Robitaille also tallied, while goaltender Jean- Sebastien Aubin made 30 saves in place of opening-night starter Johan Hedberg. Aubin is expected to receive the nod tonight as well.
This evening's tilt is the first of the road variety for the Penguins, who went 12-21-4-4 away from the Steel City last season. They return home to begin a two-game homestand Wednesday against Atlanta.
Toronto, meanwhile, fell back to Earth after its clubbing of Pittsburgh, falling to Ottawa, 2-1, at home on Saturday. Tie Domi provided the Leafs with a 1-0 lead 14:09 into the first, but the Sens' Marian Hossa converted a power- play late in the second to knot the score. Ottawa's Petr Schastlivy then scored, also on a man-advantage, with 22 seconds left in the match to decide the outcome.
The Maple Leafs afforded the Senators 10 power-plays on the night, as the strict new officiating standards were very evident.
Goaltender Trevor Kidd, obtained during the summer, started in place of Belfour and made 33 saves. Belfour sat due to an infected right index finger and is expected to be out of the lineup until at least Saturday.
"It's not real good. It's pretty weak," Belfour said of the ailment. "It feels like a broken bone just because of the swelling."
On the milestone watch for Toronto, Sundin remains one goal shy of the 400 mark for his NHL career.
The Leafs play nine of their next 11 games overall at home, including two of the next three.
Toronto has won two straight meetings with Pittsburgh, and five of the last eight. The Penguins have lost in four of their last six trips to Toronto.