Penguins
Penguins Game 15, Storm Warning; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Hurricanes
RALEIGH, NC — The Pittsburgh Penguins (5-7-2) have blown a two-goal lead four times in the last eight games. They escaped with a point in a shootout loss on Tuesday, but that was against the decimated New York Islanders. The Penguins will not have a battered opponent on Thursday when they face the Carolina Hurricanes (9-2-0) at Lenovo Center.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m.
The Penguins have a three-game points streak (2-0-1), but the blown lead Tuesday stung and re-opened questions about the team’s ability to defend or remain engaged.
“We have to play better,” coach Mike Sullivan said angrily.
The Penguin’s big two continue to provide most, if not all, of the Penguins’ offense. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin scored the first two goals Tuesday. To that point, Crosby had scored five of the last six Penguins goals. Michael Bunting scored his first goal of the season early in the third period before the Penguins went into a shell from which they never recovered in a 4-3 shootout loss to New York.
Our friends at Bettoringreen.com aren’t bullish on the Penguins on Thursday night, either.
Carolina has won seven in a row, including beating the Philadephia Flyers 6-4 on Tuesday and the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Sunday. After being the subject of heavy trade rumors this summer and a late RFA signing, Martin Necas is red-hot. He has 20 points with seven goals in the first 11 games. Andrei Svechnikov is their second-leading scorer with 13 points.
Read More: Cue Penguins Trade Rumors; Predators ‘Trying’ for Deal
Pyotr Kochetkov has anchored the net, while Frederick Andersen has dealt with injuries. Despite a pedestrian .878 save percentage, he has a 6-1-0 record.
Carolina clobbered the Penguins 4-1 at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 18.
Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal for the Penguins.
Expected Penguins Lines
Evgeni Malkin-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Cody Glass
Michael Bunting-Noel Acciari-Jesse Puljujarvi
Kevin Hayes-Blake Lizotte-Anthony Beauvillier
Defense
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany
Goalie: Alex Nedeljkovic
Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Jack Roslovic
Eric Robinson-Jesper Kotkaniemi-Martin Necas
Jordan Martinhook-Jordan Staal-Seth Jarvis
William Carrier-Jack Drury-Jackson Blake
Defense
Jaccob Slavin-Brent Burns
Shayne Gostisbehere-Sean Walker
Dmitry Orlov-Jalen Chatfield
Goalie: Pytor Kochetkov
Special Teams
Penguins power play: 22.5%, 10th. Penguins penalty kill: 85.4%, 7th.
Hurricanes power play: 25%, 8th. Hurricanes penalty kill: 83.3%, 9th.
Penguins Game Notes
*Sidney Crosby is two goals shy of his 600th career goal.
*The Penguins have points in three of its last four games versus Carolina (2-1-1).
*Tristan Jarry has gone 4-0-0 with a 1.69 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage in four games during his conditioning loan with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
*Blake Lizotte has two goals, three assists and five points in seven career games versus Carolina.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; Radio: 105.9 The X
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one 1st line and three 4th lines, what could go wrong
I was just thinking, is there really any reason to interview Sully after the games? Seems like he repeats the same stuff every time so you could just copy and paste from the previous inverview
This should be fun. I just love to watch a well-coached, disciplined hockey team that supports the puck expertly and plays smothering defense. Oh, and the Pens will be on the ice too!
5-1 Canes.