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 964^th career assist Tuesday, giving him sole possession of 14^th 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