Penguins
Good Hab-its? Penguins Game 28 vs. Canadiens: Lines, Notes & How to Watch
The Pittsburgh Penguins (12-12-3) open a two-game road trip – their dad’s trip – with a game Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens (12-13-3).
The Penguins are coming off a 4-2 win Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes.
Montreal last played Sunday, a 2-1 loss against the Nashville Predators.
Game Time
The game starts a little after 7 p.m.
Penguins Preview
After breaking a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) and reaching .500 again, the Penguins desperately need to recapture the things that lifted them past Arizona.
The biggest thing would be continued production from the power play, which was 2 for 5 Tuesday. That broke an astounding and confounding 0-for-37 drought that had become quite the albatross.
The Penguins also got secondary scoring – two goals from veteran forward Jeff Carter, no less.
Before Tuesday, the Penguins had scored a single goal in three straight games.
“Sometimes, you just throw the puck into the (bleep),” Carter said.
It would be expected, with back-to-back games, that backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will start.
Read more:
Kingerski: Carter Goes Wild; Why Power Play Scheme Worked
Anderson: Penguins’ Sullivan Says He, Dubas ‘Share a Very Similar Vision’
The Canadiens have lost two of their past three, with a total of three goals in those three games. Overall, their goal differential is minus-21, worst in the Eastern Conference.
“Through struggles, you can find answers, and I think we’re just trying to find those right now,” Montreal winger Cole Caulfield said.
Penguins Expected Lines
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Drew O’Connor
Reilly Smith-Evgeni Malkin-Valtteri Puustinen
Radim Zohorna-Lars Eller-Vinnie Hinostroza
Jansen Harkins-Jonathan Gruden-Jeff Carter
Defense
Ryan Graves-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
P.O Joseph-John Ludvig
Goalies
Alex Nedeljkovic
Tristan Jarry
Expected Canadiens Lines
Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Juraj Slafkovsky
Sean Monahan-Jake Evans-Josh Anderson
Joel Armia-Christian Dvorak-Brendan Gallagher
Michael Pezzetta-Mitchell Stephens-Jesse Ylonen
Defense
Mike Matheson-David Savard
Kaiden Guhie-Justin Barron
Jayden Struble-Jonathan Kovacevic
Goalies
Sam Montembeault
Jake Allen
Cayden Primeau
Penguins Special Teams
Penguins power play: 11.4%, 28th
Penguins penalty kill: 82.1%, 10th
Canadiens power play: 16.7%, 24th
Canadiens penalty kill: 73.5%, 28th
Penguins Game Notes
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 10-4-3 in their past 17 games against the Canadiens, and are 5-0-3 in their past eight games at Montreal.
Sidney Crosby has 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists) in 46 career games against the Canadiens.
Jake Guentzel has 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in 13 career games against Montreal.
Erik Karlsson has 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) in 46 career games against the Canadiens.
Montreal native Kris Letang has 33 points (7 goals, 26 assists) in 41 career games against the Canadiens.
Crosby has 17 points (12 goals, 5 assists) in 14 road games. His 12 road goals lead the NHL.
Crosby picked up his 964th career assist Tuesday, giving him sole possession of 14th all-time in the NHL.
Defenseman Marcus Pettersson is one assist shy of 100 for his career.
Last season, the Penguins were 2-0-0 on their dad’s trip.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 FM The X
Also follow sister site Montreal Hockey Now
Read This Next
Recommended
