The Pittsburgh Penguins are hitting a rough patch on their five-game road trip, managing just one point from their first two games. As they gear up to face the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center, their playoff spot is hanging by a thread with only a two-point cushion.
The puck drops at 9 p.m. EST, marking the end of Evgeni Malkin’s suspension.
Thursday’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights was a lesson in missed opportunities for the Penguins. Despite closing the gap to one goal twice, their penchant for over-passing and turnovers handed Vegas a 6-2 victory.
Goalie Arturs Silovs faced a barrage, stopping 11 of 16 shots, with none of the goals being soft. Rickard Rakell and Ben Kindel found the net for Pittsburgh.
Utah, sitting fourth in the fiercely competitive Central Division, has been battling through tight games, with three of their last four going to overtime. They’re 1-1-2 in that stretch, including a 3-2 OT loss to Chicago, where JJ Peterka tied it late before Connor Bedard sealed it for Chicago. Goalie Karel Vejmalka’s 20 saves earned Utah a point.
For tonight’s clash, expect Stuart Skinner to start in goal for the Penguins, following coach Dan Muse’s rotation. Vejmalka is likely in net for Utah.
Sidney Crosby is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and is unlikely to play. Filip Hallander and Jack St.
Ivany remain on injured reserve, though St. Ivany’s conditioning stint wraps up soon.
How to Watch
Radio: 105.9 The X.
Expected Penguins Lines
- Egor Chinakhov-Rickard Rakell-Bryan Rust
- Anthony Mantha-Tommy Novak-Ville Koivunen
- Elmer Soderblom-Ben Kindel-Avery Hayes
- Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Defense
- Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson
- Ryan Shea-Kris Letang
- Ilya Solovyov-Connor Clifton
Goalie: Stuart Skinner, expected
Expected Mammoth Lines
- Clayton Keller-Nick Schmaltz-Lawson Crouse
- JJ Peterka-Logan Cooley-Dylan Guenther
- Jack McBain-Barrett Hayton-Michael Carcone
- Alex Kerfoot-Kevin Stenlund-Kailer Yamamoto
Defense
- Mikhail Sergachev-Mackenzie Weegar
- Nate Schmidt-John Marino
- Ian Cole-Sean Durzi
Goalie: Karel Vejmalka, expected
Special Teams
- Penguins’ power play: 24.7% (6th). Penguins penalty kill: 84.5% (2nd).
- Mammoth power play: 16.6% (26th). Mammoth penalty kill: 78.2% (20th).
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins have a 1-1-1 record against the Mammoth, with points in the last two encounters. Stuart Skinner has shone against Utah, boasting a 2-0-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
Tommy Novak is a key playmaker, with the Penguins earning points in 25 of 29 games when he’s on the scoresheet. Rickard Rakell is on a four-game point streak, and Anthony Mantha is on the brink of matching his career-best goal tally. Erik Karlsson continues to be a force, with nine points in the last eight games.
As the Penguins look to turn their road trip around, tonight’s game is crucial for maintaining their playoff hopes.