Penguins

Penguins Game 62 vs. Bruins: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Published

2 months ago

March 9, 2024

Another day, another emotionally charged game for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are at the point of trying to make something – anything – out of the stretch run of the season.

Saturday, it’s a national TV matinee for the Penguins (28-25-8) on the road against the Boston Bruins (37-13-15).

And if that isn’t enough of a challenge, the Penguins return home to play less than 24 hours later against the Edmonton Oilers.

Game Time

The game starts a little after 3 p.m.

Penguins Preview

The NHL deadline has come and gone, and so, most likely has the opportunity for the Penguins to get into the playoffs. They sit 10 points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division and eight points out of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins are coming off an emotionally flat game Thursday when they got pummeled by the Washington Capitals 6-0.

That was the night that top-line left winger Jake Guentzel got traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The only other player traded off the regular roster before Friday’s deadline was defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.

Michael Bunting, who came over from Carolina along with prospects and draft picks, seems a good bet to take Guentzel’s longtime spot alongside Sidney Crosby on the top line for Saturday’s game.

John Ludvig, whose physical element could be useful against the Bruins, could slot in on the third defense pairing after Ruhwedel was shipped to the New York Rangers.

The Penguins will be without fourth-line winger Jansen Harkins, who had hand surgery Friday morning after getting into a fight Thursday.

Right winger Bryan Rust skated in a full capacity at practice for the first time Friday, but it’s unknown when he might return from an upper-body injury.

The Penguins are 1-4 in their past five games.

Anderson: Evgeni Malkin Has Heartfelt Message for Penguins Fans

The Bruins are in a neck-and-neck battle with the Florida Panthers for the Eastern Conference title. They are one point back, although Florida has a game in hand.

At times, Boston has been picking up points the hard way, going 5-2-6 over the past 13 games. In addition to four overtime losses and two shootout losses, the Bruins have one overtime win and one shootout win in that stretch.

Most recently, the Bruins knocked off the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Thursday.

Before Friday’s trade deadline, Boston added veteran winger Pat Maroon, who is joining his seventh team but is injured, as well as defenseman Andrew Peeke.

Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm, out since Feb. 19 because of a lower-body injury, is probable to return against the Penguins.

Expected Penguins Lines

Michael Bunting-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Valtteri Puustinen

Jesse Puljujarvi-Lars Eller-Emil Bemstrom

Jonathan Gruden-Noel Acciari-Jeff Carter

Defense

P.O Joseph-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-John Ludvig

Goalies

Alex Nedeljkovic

Tristan Jarry

Expected Bruins Lines

Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk

Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak

James van Riemsdyk-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic

Jakub Lauko-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo

Parker Wotherspoon-Kevin Shattenkirk

Goalies

Linus Ullmark

Jeremy Swayman

Penguins Special Teams

Penguins power play: 15.1%, 28th

Penguins penalty kill: 82.3% 6th

Bruins power play: 23.7%, 9th

Bruins penalty kill: 81.8%, 8th

Penguins Game Notes

In the teams’ only meeting so far this season, the Penguins won 6-5 at Boston on Jan. 4, getting goals from six different players.

The Penguins have not won consecutive games against the Bruins since the 2018-19 season.

Sidney Crosby, who had a power-play goal in that Jan. 4 game, has 71 points (19 goals, 52 assists) in 57 career games against the Bruins. That includes 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in the past 26 games. He has more points against Boston than any other active player.

Lars Eller has 16 goals in 50 career games against the Bruins, his highest total against any team.

Rickard Rakell has 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 17 games against Boston, including four multiple-point games.

Kris Letang leads all active defensemen with 24 assists against the Bruins.

Crosby leads the NHL with 817 faceoff wins.