Slick Six? Penguins Game 15 vs. Devils: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins (8-6-0) put their five-game winning streak on the line Thursday when the New Jersey Devils (7-6-1) visit PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins are coming off a 5-3 win Tuesday over the Blue Jackets in Columbus when they got a hat trick plus an assist from captain Sidney Crosby.

The Devils have lost three straight, including a 6-3 setback Tuesday against the Jets in Winnipeg.

Penguins Game Time

The game starts a little after 7 p.m.

Penguins preview

A 3-6 start seems to be in the rearview mirror at this point, with the Penguins for the most part playing a more responsible, cohesive game in recent games.

Second-line center Evgeni Malkin and fourth-line winger Matt Nieto, did not practice Wednesday. Coach Mike Sullivan said Malkin was ill, while Nieto was given a maintenance day. However, both players participated in the team’s morning skate Thursday, and Sullivan confirmed both will be available against the Devils.

Sullivan also confirmed that Tristan Jarry will start in goal against New Jersey.

Read More:

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New Jersey has been struggling without star center Jack Hughes, who has a right shoulder injury, but coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Hughes could return Thursday. That could provide a huge boost if it happens, although sentiment seems to be stronger for him to return Saturday.

Hughes has missed the past four games. His 20 points was tied for the NHL lead when he got hurt.

The Devils will be without center Nico Hischier, who went on the IR Tuesday because of an upper body injury. He has been out since Oct. 27.

Expected Penguins Lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rikell

Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Radim Zohorna

Matt Nieto-Noel Acciari-Vinnie Hinostroza

Defense

Ryan Graves-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Shea-Chad Ruhwedel

Goalies

Tristan Jarry

Magnus Hellberg

Expected New Jersey Devils Lines

Timo Meier-Michael McLeod-Jesper Bratt

Tyler Toffoli-Dawson Mercer-Alexander Holtz

Ondrej Palat-Erik Haula-Curtis Lazar

Tomas Nosek-Chris Tierney-Nathan Bastian

Defense

Luke Hughes-Dougie Hamilton

Jonas Siegenthaler-John Marino

Kevin Bahl-Brendan Smith

Goalies

Vitek Vanecek

Akira Schmid

Penguins Special Teams

Penguins power play: 18%, 22nd

Penguins penalty kill: 84.8%, 8th

Devils power play: 36.6%, 1st

Devils penalty kill: 76.5%, 20th

Penguins Game Notes

This is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first meeting of the season with New Jersey. They were 1-4-0 last season against the Devils and are 4-9-0 against them over the past three seasons.

The Penguins are 3-4-0 at home, and so can reach .500 at PPG Paints Arena with a win.

Sidney Crosby has a nine-game point streak (7 goals, 14 points). He leads the team in goals with 10 and in points with 19.

In his career against the Devils, Crosby has 29 goals (six of them game-winners), 88 points in 82 career games.

Lars Eller has three career game-winning goals against New Jersey.

Kris Letang sits at 699 career assists. He’s poised to become the third active defenseman and 28^th in NHL history to reach 700.

How to Watch the Game

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The X