Penguins Game 41 vs. Hurricanes: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Games within the Metropolitan Division are important for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they push to improve their positioning and get into a playoff spot. That could make Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes at Carolina especially crucial.

That’s because after Saturday, the Penguins (20-15-5) don’t get a chance to play another Metro team for more than month.

Carolina (23-13-5) has been surging and holds second place in the Metro, six points ahead of the Penguins, who have a game in hand.

Game Time

The Game starts a little after 7 p.m.

Penguins Preview

This game brings the Penguins to the midpoint of their season.

They are 9-3-2 in their past 14 games and coming off a yardstick game. Thursday, they came back to force overtime against one of the top teams in the league, the Vancouver Canucks, before falling 4-3.

In that game, the full scope of team captain Sidney Crosby’s level of play was on display. He scored twice, including the tying goal in the final 30 seconds.

The Penguins are expecting to be without left winger Reilly Smith for some time. He is still being evaluated after being knocked out of the Vancouver game by a big hit.

With an optional practice Friday and no look at an updated line configuration, it’s unclear how the Penguins will fill in for Smith, although Radim Zohorna figures to slot back in after being a healthy scratch of late. Smith recently had moved from the second line to the third line.

The Penguins will come back with Tristan Jarry in net. The team has been leaning more toward Alex Nedeljkovich, but he was replaced Thursday after the first by Jarry, who was strong in relief. Nedeljkovich began his career with Carolina.

Read more:

Molinari: Would Strong Second Half be Enough to Make Penguins Whole?

Kingerski: Jarry Admits, Addresses New Share Role

The Hurricanes are 6-0-1 in their past seven games, have at least a point in 13 of their past 14, and their offense has been humming.

They have scored 43 goals in their past 10 games, six goals in three of their past four game, and have scored on the power play in eight straight games. Andrei Svechnikov has eight goals over the past seven games.

Carolina also has a goalie situation. Pyotr Kochetkov (7-1-2 since Dec. 12) is in concussion protocol after he left Thursday’s win against Anaheim. The Hurricanes are expected to start Antti Raanta against the Penguins, with prospect Yaniv Perets backing up.

Expected Penguins Lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Drew O’Connor-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust

Radim Zohorna-Lars Eller-Valtteri Puustinen

Jansen Harkins-Noel Acciari-Jeff Carter

Defense

Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang

P.O Joseph-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Chad Ruhwedel

Goalies

Tristan Jarry

Alex Nedeljkovich

Expected Hurricanes Lines

Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Teuvo Teravainen

Michael Bunting-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Stefan Noesen

Jordan Martinook-Jordan Staal-Seth Jarvis

Brendan Lemieux-Jack Drury-Jesper Fast

Defense

Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns

Brady Skjei-Brett Pesce

Dmitry Orlov-Jalen Chatfield

Goalies

Antti Raanta

Yaniv Perets

Penguins Special Teams

Penguins power play: 14.3%, 26th

Penguins penalty kill: 82.0%, 10th

Hurricanes power play: 28.8%, 2nd

Hurricanes penalty kill: 82.7%, 9th

Penguins Game Notes

The Penguins have a five-game losing streak (0-3-2) at PNC Arena. Their last win at Carolina came Dec. 22, 2018, 3-0.

Overall, the Penguins have won three straight road games and are 3-0-1 in their past four.

Sidney Crosby has 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists) in 57 career games against Carolina.

Evgeni Malkin has 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 48 career games against Carolina.

Erik Karlsson has a five-game point streak (1 goal, 5 assists).

Crosby has 574 career goals, three shy of tying Mark Recchi for 21^st in NHL history.

The Penguins’ .911 save percentage ranks fourth in the league, their 2.73 goals-against average ranks sixth.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 FM The X