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Penguins Game 15, Storm Warning; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Hurricanes

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes game

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

Per Daily Faceoff:

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