Penguins
Penguins Game 4, Jarry Back; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Canadiens
MONTREAL — It’s a Canadian Thanksgiving feast in Montreal. The Pittsburgh Penguins (1-2-0) finish their three-game road trip with the young, exciting, but still inconsistent Montreal Canadiens (2-1-0) at Centre Bell.
The Penguins dominated the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, playing their best period of the season. However, the team slipped into “pass-happy” mode and didn’t take enough shots. Coach Mike Sullivan felt the team was looking for something better too often, but in the second and third periods, Toronto controlled the game.
A couple of flukey bounces became Toronto goals, and the Penguins lost 4-2 at Scotiabank Arena. Sidney Crosby earned point No. 1599, and Evgeni Malkin became the third active player with 1300 points.
Sullivan also tabbed rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist to start against Toronto, and Blomqvist was fantastic, even if the final stat lines were average. Blomqvist stopped 28 of 31 shots in the losing effort. The Penguins managed just 22 shots on goal.
UPDATE: Tristan Jarry will start for the Penguins.
However, it seems the Penguins’ goalie talk is just beginning.
Read More: Penguins Notebook: Sullivan Says Media ‘Overthinking’ the Goalie Situation
Montreal is getting big-money contributions from young players, including Cole Caufield, who has four goals in three games. The other rising star is rookie defenseman Lane Hutson, whom Montreal selected in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. The spritely offensive defenseman has added a defensive component to his game and has four assists in three games.
Montreal also has a rough-and-tumble third line capable of offense, with Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher side-saddling Jake Evans.
Read More, Montreal Hockey Now: The Five Things We Learned from Lane Hutson’s Hot Start
Montreal shut out Toronto 1-0 in Game 1 in large because of a spectacular performance by goalie Sam Montembeault, who has a .986 save percentage after two games.
The Penguins’ lines at practice were the same as the game in Toronto.
Penguins Lines
Anthony Beauvillier-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell
Drew O’Connor-Lars Eller-Rutger McGroarty Jesse Puljujarvi
Kevin Hayes-Cody Glass-Noel Acciari
Defense
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany Ryan Shea
Goalie: PHN will update the story when coach Mike Sullivan speaks following the morning skate.
Canadiens Lines (Expected)
Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Juraj Slafkovsky
Alex Newhook-Kirby Dach-Joel Armia
Josh Anderson-Jake Evan-Brendan Gallagher
Emil Heinamen-Christian Dvorak-Oliver Kapanen
Defense
Mike Matheson-Kaiden Guhle
Lane Hutson-David Savard
Arber Xhekaj-Justin Barron
Goalie: Sam Montembeault
Special Teams
Penguins Power Play: 2-for-9, 22.2%, 13th. Penguins Penalty Kill: 1-for-10, 90%, 10th.
Canadiens Power Play: 3-for-15, 20%. 15th. Canadiens Penalty Kill: 1-for-13, 92.3%. 7th
Game Notes
*Lars Eller began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010 and played with the Canadiens through 2016.
*The Penguins have won three straight against the Canadiens and have an active nine-game points streak (6-0-3) vs. Montreal.
*The Penguins have scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 11 games against Montreal.
*Erik Karlsson has 40 points (10-30-40) in 49 career games against the Canadiens. His 10 goals are the most among all active blueliners. Kris Letang is second with nine.
*Eller has 12 points (6-6-12) in his last 14 games vs. his former team.
*Malkin needs two goals to reach the 500-goal milestone. Crosby needs one point to reach 1600.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Amazon;
Radio: 105.9 The X
