Penguins Game 80, Decimated Lineup; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Devils

NEWARK — The Pittsburgh Penguins (32-35-12) have just a few games left in the NHL regular season before breaking up for the summer. Injuries have mounted, and the team will be playing with a few call-ups Friday when they play their final road game of the season against the New Jersey Devils (41-30-7) at the Prudential Center.

The puck drops just after 7 p.m.

The Penguins’ bad news is that rookie Rutger McGroarty is among the five injured players who have been shut down for the final week of the season.

Read More: Breaking: Bad News for McGroarty, Other Penguins Injuries

However, the team recalled three young players, Vasily Ponomarev, Emil Bemstrom, and Valtteri Puustinen, who will get another shot in the NHL. It will be a makeshift lineup for the Penguins, but perhaps that’s not a terrible thing, as the AHL players get another look, and losses mean a better draft pick.

The Penguins currently hold the seventh overall spot, but a win could vault them to ninth.

Tuesday, the Penguins whitewashed the listless Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 at PPG Paints Arena. As the Penguins pulled away, coach Mike Sullivan flipped the spots of his rookie wingers, putting Ville Koivunen on the top line with Sidney Crosby and McGroarty with Evgeni Malkin.

Crosby and linemate Bryan Rust went out of their way trying to set up Koivunen for his first NHL goal, but it was not to be. Later in the game, McGroarty appeared to suffer a serious foot or ankle injury when he extended his skate to block a slap shot. He immediately left the game and needed assistance walking down the tunnel.

Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang scored goals before Kevin Hayes netted the last two tallies in the win. Tristan Jarry earned his second shutout of the season and second since being recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The New Jersey Devils have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they’ll do so with a hobbled lineup. Jack Hughes is out of the season, and top defenseman Dougie Hamilton is likely out until deeper into the playoffs.

For the complete Devils story, visit NewJerseyHockeyNow.com.

Potential Penguins Lines

Ville Koivunen-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Danton Heinen-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Connor Dewar-Kevin Hayes-Valtteri Puustinen

Joona Koppanen-Vasily Ponomarev-Emil Bemstrom

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Conor Timmins-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Goalie: Tristan Jarry, likely.

Devils Lines

Stefan Noesen–Nico Hischier–Jesper Bratt

Erik Haula–Dawson Mercer–Timo Meier

Ondrej Palat–Justin Dowling–Tomas Tatar

Paul Cotter–Cody Glass–Daniel Sprong

Defensemen

Luke Hughes–Brett Pesce

Brian Dumoulin–Johnathan Kovacevic

Brenden Dillon–Simon Nemec

Goalie: Jacob Markstrom, likely.

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 25.0%, 7th. Penguins penalty kill: 77.9%, 18th.

Devils power play: 27.9%, 3rd. Devils penalty kill: 82.5%, 3rd

Penguins Game Notes

New Jersey is 34-1-2 when leading after two periods this season.

The Penguins are 8-4-2 in their last 14 games.

Bryan Rust has 31 points (17-14-31) and is plus-10 in 39 career games against the Devils. It’s the most points he’s registered against any opponent.

Puustinen has points in four of his last six games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which includes a four-game goal streak.

Crosby is three assists away from tying Steve Yzerman for third-most assists (1063) with one organization. Only Wayne Gretzky (1083) and Ray Bourque (1111) have more. Crosby figures to break the record next season. Crosby is also just two goals shy of Joe Sakic (625) for fifth-most goals with one organization.

Rickard Rakell is one point shy of tying his career-best points mark (69).

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The X