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Saturday, 02 April 2011 09:30

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

A preview of the Panthers.

When and where: 7 p.m. BankAtlantic Center.

TV: FSN Pittsburgh Root Sports, Fox Sports Florida.

Record: 29-37-12, 70 points. The Panthers are in last place of the Eastern Conference and Southeast Division.

Leading Scorer: Stephen Weiss, 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists).

Last Game: 4-1 home loss to the Senators Thursday. Scott Clemmensen made 19 saves for the Panthers.

Last Game against the Penguins: 2-1 road shootout loss Sunday. Marc-Andre Fleury made 37 saves for the Penguins.

Panthers Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Niclas Bergfors (above). He has 10 points in nine career games against the Penguins.

Ex-Penguins on the Panthers: Dale Tallon, general manager.

Ex-Panthers on the Penguins: Tom Fitzgerald, assistant to the general manager; Randy Sexton, assistant director of amateur scouting.

Useless Panthers Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: Former Penguins forward Jaromir Jagr holds the record for most points in a single game against the Panthers. While with the Capitals, Jagr scored seven points in an 12-2 win, Jan. 11, 2003.

Best Panthers Video We Could Find: Rats!

Probable goaltenders: Brent Johnson (11-5-3, 2.19 GAA, .920 SV%) for the Penguins and Scott Clemmensen (8-8-7, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%) for the Panthers.

Injuries: For the Penguins, forward Arron Asham ("lower body") is questionable. Forward Dustin Jeffrey ("lower body") is out. Forwards Sidney Crosby (concussion), Nick Johnson (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (knee) are on injured reserve. For the Panthers, forward Jack Skille (ankle) is probable. Forward Shawn Matthias (ankle), defenseman Alexander Sulzer (groin) and goaltender Tomas Vokoun (back) are day to day. Forward Scott Timmins (concussion) is out. Forwards Byron Bitz (sports hernia), Mark Cullen (achilles tendon) and Rostislav Olesz (knee) are on injured reserve.

Potential lines and defensive pairings: The Penguins did not practice with a full crew yesterday. Their primary lines and defensive pairings against the Lightning Thursday were:

Chris Kunitz - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy
James Neal - Mark Letestu - Alex Kovalev
Chris Conner - Maxime Talbot - Pascal Dupuis
Mike Rupp - Craig Adams - Mike Comrie

Kris Letang - Brooks Orpik
Zbynek Michalek - Paul Martin
Matt Niskanen - Ben Lovejoy

-The Panthers primary lines and defensive pairings against the Senators Sunday were:

Niclas Bergfors - Stephen Weiss - Sergei Samsonov
David Booth - Mike Santorelli - Evgeny Dadanov
Patrick Rissmiller - Marty Reasoner - Michal Repik
Darcy Hordichuk - Ryan Carter - Steve Bernier

Keaton Ellerby - Dmitry Kulikov
Jay Garrison - Mike Weaver
Clay Wilson - Joe Callahan

Notes:

-Matt Cooke is serving a suspension.

-Asham is dinged up again.

-Staal has 99 career assists.

-Letang has 99 career assists.

-Comrie has 197 career assists.

-Dupuis has 146 career assists.

-Skille is expected to return to the lineup after missing four games due to a high ankle injury.

-The Panthers enter the game with a seven-game losing streak.

-Booth has appeared in 299 career games.

-Weaver has 48 career assists.

-Bergfors has 47 career assists.

-If you're going to the game, the Panthers will make sure you'll be able to watch the NCAA Tournament at the same time.

-Our live blog begins at approximately 7 p.m. Please tune in.

(Photos: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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