Ray Shero made the call to the WBS Pens this morning to bring up last year's Finnish Elite points leader. I know there are plenty of believers out there who would love to see this guy get some decent ice time against an average Ducks team. Pesonen, who was originally drafted by Anaheim back in 2004, signed as a free agent with the Pens this past July and has put up some serious numbers over in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He currently ranks third for WBS and eleventh in the AHL for overall points . Last year he lead the Oulu Karpat to their fifth championship with 16 postseason points and might be what the Pens need to get out of the worst slump of the season.

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The Penguins will take on the Buffalo Sabres, at Mellon Arena, Monday night at 7:30 on Versus. The Pens are hoping to bounce back from a crushing loss in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon. The Sabres are coming off of a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, which ended a three game losing streak for them.

As long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Keep doing what they've been doing, the Penguins should have no problem handling the Sabres, or anybody else in the league. They'll also need Jordan Staal to keep up his production as of late. Staal has scored 11 points in his lat 13 games, while being mixed and matched on lines with almost every forward available.

The Penguins will once again be without Mike Zigomanis and Tyler Kennedy, who will miss at least four weeks with a sprained knee. Meaning, we'll get a better look at Chris Minard, who will likely play Staal's left wing on the third line, and Janne Pesonen, likely the fourth line left wing. Pesonen, however, has only been on the ice for more than eight minutes once with the Pens this season. We also might get a chance to see defenseman Ben Lovejoy, who was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Sunday. Lovejoy has 4 goals, 10 assists, and 36 penalty minutes with the Baby Pens this season.

The Sabres have had trouble scoring this season, averaging just 2.62 goals per game, tied for 21st in the league. Buffalo will need to rely on its defense, along with a big game from goalie Ryan Miller, to beat the Penguins.

The Pens are moving forward after a heart-breaking shootout loss to divison rival and leader New York on Wednesday. Pittsburgh's conditioning will be put to the test as they face their third back-to-back game this season on the road against a Carolina team that has lost their last four out of five games.

PENGUINS
Forwards Tyler Kennedy and Mike Zigomanis left Wednesday night's game with undisclosed injuries. Kennedy is a scratch and Zigomanis is currently listed as probable. Due to the current injuries, tonight we will see the return of Janne Pesonen and Chris Minard.

Pesonen ranks third in points for the WBS Penguins with 16 assists and 5 goals.
Minard currently ranks second in the AHL with 13 assists and 17 goals.

Dany Sabourin will be in goal for his first back-to-back start this season.

HURRICANES
Maurice circa '95
In an attempt to revive their team, coach Peter Laviolette was fired and replaced by Paul Maurice. Carolina is trying to rekindle the chemestry they once had when the franchise made the move from Hartford by bringing back their former coach.

After suffering a groin injury against the Ducks, Cam Ward is expected to sit out tonight's game and will be replaced by Michael Leighton.