Rivalry Time; Penguins Game 23 vs. Flyers: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins (11-10-1) meet their cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers for the first time this season Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.

It’s the first half of a home-and-home that concludes Monday in Philadelphia.

The Penguins are coming off a 4-2 win Thursday at Tampa Bay.

The Flyers (11-10-2) are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss Thursday at home against the New Jersey Devils.

Game Time

The game starts a little after 7 p.m.

Penguins Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2-0-1 in their past three games, but their win Thursday against the Lightning stands out.

Not only did the Penguins come back from a poor first period and a two-goal deficit, but they also got goals from long-time catalyst Sidney Crosby, from Drew O’Connor in his 100^th NHL game, from veteran Jeff Carter for his first of the season, and, in the talk of the league, a goalie goal from Tristan Jarry.

Jarry’s launch into the far net was the first goalie goal in Penguins history.

Given all that, coach Mike Sullivan said, “There are moments during the course of the year that I think help to galvanize a group. That could be one of them.”

The Penguins will have changes in their lineup, however, as bottom-six forwards Noel Acciari and Matt Nieto will miss the game. They are being evaluated for lower-body injuries, Sullivan said. The Penguins recalled forward Joonas Koppanen, who is expected to play.

Read more:

Molinari: Team Reacts to Jarry Goal, Big Comeback

Kingerski: Sullivan Shuffles Penguins Pairs, Drops Graves; Why it Works

The Flyers also clawed back from a two-goal deficit Thursday and were able to tie it before falling in overtime.

Philadelphia has lost three of four (1-2-1).

Flyers coach John Tortorella benched Joel Farabee after the forward played just 56 seconds in the first, saying only that Farabee “wouldn’t listen.” Tortorella indicated Friday that Farabee will be back to a normal participant Saturday.

Expected Penguins Lines

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Drew O’Connor

Radim Zohorna-Lars Eller-Vinnie Hinostroza

Jansen Harkins-Joonas Koppanen-Jeff Carter

Defense

Ryan Graves-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Shea-John Ludvig

Goalies

Tristan Jarry

Alex Nedeljkovic

Expected Flyers Lines

Tyson Foerster-Sean Couturier-Travis Konecny

Joel Farabee-Scott Laughton-Cam Atkinson

Owen Tippett-Morgan Frost-Bobby Brink

Nic Deslauriers-Ryan Poehling-Garnet Hathaway

Defense

Cam York-Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler-Sean Walker

Egor Zamula-Rasmus Ristolainen

Goalies

Carter Hart

Samuel Errson

Penguins Special Teams

Penguins power play: 11.9%, 27th

Penguins penalty kill: 85.3%, 8th

Flyers power play: 11.7%, 28th

Flyers penalty kill: 83.8%, 10th

Penguins Game Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins swept the season series a year ago 3-0-0 and are 9-3-1 in their past 13 games against Philadelphia. They are 8-1-1 at home against the Flyers dating to Oct. 29, 2019.

Sidney Crosby has 124 points (53 goals, 71 assists) in 83 career games against Philadelphia, with a 14-game point streak (11 goals, 11 assists). With one more point, he will surpass Mario Lemieux for the most career points against the Flyers. Lemieux had 124 points in 71 games.

Jake Guentzel has 15 points (6 goals, 13 assists) in his past 17 games. He has 26 ponits (10 goals, 16 assists) in 26 career games against the Flyers.

Jeff Carter’s first goal of the season Thursday was his 89^th career game-winning goal.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 FM The X

Also read sister site Philly Hockey Now.