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Penguins Game 2, Blomqvist NHL Debut: Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Red Wings

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Pittsburgh Penguins game vs. Detroit Red Wings Away

The Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1-0) don’t have much time to dwell on getting thumped by the New York Rangers Wednesday as they begin their first road trip of the season by visiting the Detroit Red Wings Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.



The start time was moved back to 8 p.m. because the Detroit Tigers playoff game starts at 6 p.m.

The Penguins failed to score and lost to New York 6-0 on Wednesday. Good effort and chances gave way to mistakes and ultimately surrender, as New York didn’t ease up. Goalie Igor Shesterkin made the routine and difficult saves look the same. New York outshot the Penguins 41-28.

Read More: Penguins Report Card: Balloon Gets Popped

The game began well, especially for the Penguins’ third line with Lars Eller, rookie Rutger McGroarty, and Jesse Puljujarvi. The line created chances and offensive zone time but could not slip one past Shesterkin. The line was also victimized for a couple of goals, one of which counted.

After the first 10 minutes, the Penguins’ highlights were few and far between. Even the power play, which looked dramatically different during the preseason, had trouble connecting on passes and creating momentum.

The Detroit Red Wings’ first game of the season is Thursday. Follow our colleagues at Detroit Hockey Now for the Red Wings’ side.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan won’t address the media until 6 p.m. Thursday, so we won’t know if winger Bryan Rust is available or the identity of the Penguins’ starting goalie. Sullivan could turn to rookie Joel Blomqvist, who would be making his NHL debut or return to Tristan Jarry.

UPDATE: Blomqvist will start in goal. Rust is not available.

Penguins Injuries:

Bryan Rust (day-to-day, skating), Blake Lizotte (concussion, out), Matt Nieto (lower-body, out month-to-month), Alex Nedeljkovic (lower-body, out week-to-week).

UPDATED Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Anthony Beauvillier

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Drew O’Connor

Rutger McGroarty-Lars Eller-Jesse Puljujarvi

Kevin Hayes-Cody Glass-Noel Acciari

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

Starting Goalie: TBD

Red Wings Lines (Estimated)

Alex DeBrincat-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond

Vladimir Tarasenko-T.J. Compher-Patrick Kane

Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Christian Fischer

Tyler Motte-Joe Veleno-Jonatan Berggren

Defense

Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider

Simon Edvinsson-Jeff Petry

Olli Maata-Erik Gustafsson

Goalie: Ville Husso

Special Teams

Penguins Power Play: 0.00%. 0-for-3. One shorthanded goal allowed. Penguins Penalty Kill: 100%. 2-for-2.

Rangers Power Play: 0-for-o. Rangers Penalty Kill: 0-for-0.

Game Notes

The Penguins have points in 11 of their last 13 contests against Detroit (9-2-2).

The Penguins are 4-2-0 in their last six games in Detroit, averaging 4.33 goals per game.

The Penguins will play eight of their next nine games on the road.

Rickard Rakell has 21 points (7-14-21) in 21 career games against the Red Wings, but Sidney Crosby has 44 points (18-26-44) in his last 35 games against Detroit.

Evgeni Malkin remains two goals shy of 500 for his career.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh,

Radio: 105.9 The X.