Expected Penguins Lines, Goalie & Preview vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Pittsburgh Penguins (17-12-6)- have one more challenge before the NHL holiday break. Tonight they’re on the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes (14-14-5) and their postgame celebrations which have become social media sensations.

The Penguins have won four of their last five games including sweeping the back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday against the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild. Each was a 2-1 victory. Bryan Rust scored three of the Penguins four goals and Sidney Crosby added the other. Rust has nine goals this season, including eight in his last six games.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang played nearly 58 minutes between the two games and was integral to the Penguins victories. Letang had four takeaways, and one assist.

Head coach Mike Sullivan will continue the goalie rotation. Matt Murray will start. Murray is 6-5-1 with a 3.70 GAA and .890 save percentage.

Carolina is likely to use the struggling Petr Mrazek in net. Mrazek is 5-7-2 with a 2.60 GAA and .897 save percentage. UPDATE: Curtis McElhinney started in goal.
Carolina rookie Andrei Svechnikov has a four-game point scoring streak.

Playoff Picture

The Penguins are in third place in the Metro Division; they are two points ahead of the New York Islanders who have one game in hand. The Penguins recent hot streak has also put them just one point behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.

Injuries

Penguins

Justin Schultz (Fractured leg. IR)

Jamie Oleksiak (Concussion)

Carolina

Haydn Fleury (Concussion)

Special Teams

Expected Penguins Lines

Expected Penguins Lines