Penguins Game 17, Big Test: Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Stars

The Pittsburgh Penguins (6-8-2) are fresh from a three-game road trip in which they won one, lost one, and got a loser point after blowing a two-goal lead. The Penguins will get a stiff test Monday at PPG Paints Arena against the Dallas Stars (8-5-0), who have been among the NHL’s final four in each of the last couple of seasons.

The puck drops just after 7 p.m.

The Penguins ended their road trip on a high note. After giving up a 2-0 lead to the Washington Capitals, they dominated the third period in a 4-2 win at Capital One Arena. Erik Karlsson had two points, including the first goal of the game. Michael Bunting and Evgeni Malkin scored goals before Noel Acciari ended the festivities with an empty net goal.

The Penguins allowed just one shot on goal in the final 3:07, in which the Capitals pulled the goalie for the extra attacker.

Also, in the third period, coach Mike Sullivan split the two-headed monster, returning Evgeni Malkin to the second-line center role with Bryan Rust on the right wing and Rickard Rakell on Sidney Crosby’s right wing with Drew O’Connor on the left.

The Penguins are solid underdogs at home, going off at +140. For bettors who like daily tips and fantasy sports advice, visit Bettoringreen.com.

Dallas has lost three of their last four games, but that’s a little bit misleading. They lost both ends of a home-and-home with the Florida Panthers and lost to the Winnipeg Jets, who set the NHL record for the best start in history. In between, they beat the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks.

Matt Duchene leads Dallas with seven goals and 15 points.

The Penguins are carrying three goalies. Joel Blomqvist will start tonight, and Alex Nedeljkovic will be the backup. Dallas has a pair of goalies, including former Penguins backup Casey DeSmith. However, Jake Oettinger is the likely starter.

Possible Penguins Lines

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkinr-Bryan Rust

Jesse Puljujarvi-Lars Elle–Noel Acciari

Anthony Beauvillier-Blake Lizotte-Valtteri Puustinen

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

Starting Goalie: Joel Blomqvist

Stars Lines

Per Daily Faceoff

Jason Robertson-Roope Hintz-Evgenii Dadonov

Mason Marchment-Matt Duchene-Tyler Seguin

Jamie Benn-Wyatt Johnson-Logan Stankoven

Sam Steel-Mavrik Bourque-Colin Blackwell

Defense

Miro Heiskanen-Matt Dumba

Esa Lindell-Nils Lundkvist

Thomas Harley-Ilya Lyubushkin

Goalie: Jake Oettinger

Casey DeSmith

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 19.6%, 15th. Penguins penalty kill: 86.7%, 5th

Stars power play: 16.3%, 23rd. Stars penalty kill: 83.7%, 10th.

Penguins Game Notes

*The Penguins recalled Sam Poulin from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Monday morning. Poulin has played six NHL games in his career and was the Penguins 2019 first-round pick (21st overall).

*Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry is back with the team after his 14-day conditioning assignment.

*Sidney Crosby remains two goals shy of 600 in his career, becoming the second active player and 21st in NHL history to reach that feat.

How to Watch