Morning Skate report

The Penguins (15-4-2) will host the Carolina Hurricanes (6-12-3) tonight, then head south to play Carolina again on Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C. for another home-and-home series.

Coach Mike Johnston said his club is still at the point where they spend as much time perfecting their own game as they do preparing for opponents - something that will change as the season progresses. That said, he noted how strong Carolina is down low, creating the need for continuous back pressure to contain the Hurricanes. 

“They are a quick team down low below the dots, they bring pucks to the net. They spin off checks really well down low there. So our back pressure [is key],” said Johnston.

Of NOTE:

***Carolina Coach Bill Peters did not exactly bite when asked Friday morning about the reasons he may have chosen the Hurricanes despite being a candidate for the head coaching job in Pittsburgh. For the record, he did not confirm that he turned the job down. 

“It was an interesting summer for sure. I just made the decision to go to Carolina and it’s been a good decision,” he said.

Interestingly, Peters played for Johnston for one season at Camrose College in the 1980s, which Johnston said was his first job. The school, now called Augustana University College in Camrose, Alberta, was one of several Johnston got his coaching career rolling at.

***Johnston said Marc-Andre Fleury will start in goal tonight. 

*** Sidney Crosby’s 800th point is a milestone worth noting, said Johnston.

“I think it’s amazing. When you look at both what he and Fleury have done in the last two games,” said Johnston. “Those accomplishments you have to stop, take a moment, recognize it, rather than pass it over. I think it is a significant accomplishment. We recognized it in the room the other night and now we move on from there.“