Pens' Despres Expected To Play Game 5: Simon Despres is expected to replace Mark Eaton in the Pens' lineup Thursday. (Updated 5/9/13)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/20/13).
Fantasy Analysis
Simon Despres got a rude introduction to the playoffs in Game 3, playing poorly in just over six minutes of ice time while registering a minus-2 rating. His vision, skating and passing ability are weapons the team looks to utilize Thursday against a youthful New York squad. (Updated 5/9/13).
05/09/2013 21:47 Penguins take control with shutout win in Game 5
Tomas Vokoun stopped 31 shots in his first playoff start in six years and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 4-0 on Thursday night in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Because of his 18-game trial with the Pens last year, Simon Despres is the odd-on favorite among Pittsburgh defensive prospects to make his mark in the coming season. The 6-foot-2 defenseman averaged better than a point-per-game in his final three QMJHL campaigns. With Wilkes-Barre, he scored only five goals and 15 points in 45 games during his first professional season, although he didn't look out of place on the Penguins' blue line, contributing with surprisingly solid defense and four points (1G, 3A). There's talk that he could see time with Kris Letang. If that happens then there's a chance that Despres could surprise to the upside right off the bat. (Updated 8/14/12)
