Penguins Game 48, Great 8 Awaits; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Capitals
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Pittsburgh Penguins (19-20-8) remain below .500 after leaving a smoldering crater where a five-game homestand was supposed to be. However, the Penguins clicked with A-level goaltending Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres and got back on the winning track. They’ll need their very best against the first-place Washington Capitals (30-10-5) at Capital One Arena on Saturday.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m., and the Capitals fans shout, “Red!” glare
Penguins goaltending has dominated the news cycle this week. First, the team waived Tristan Jarry on Wednesday. He cleared and reported to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Friday, the Penguins power play and Alex Nedeljkovic were “the difference,” according to coach Mike Sullivan. Nedeljkovic scored an empty net goal and made NHL history by becoming the first goalie to register an assist and a goal.
Read More: GOALIE GOAL! Nedeljkovic Shoots and Scores, Makes NHL History
Nedeljkovic also made 40 saves in the 5-2 win over Buffalo. The Penguins notched three power-play goals in the somewhat sloppy effort, but after being tagged with losses after a few good games, they happily accepted. Cody Glass had a goal and an assist. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk had a pair of assists.
The Penguins’ goalie news will continue Saturday when they return rookie Joel Blomqvist to the net. Blomqvist was called up after Jarry cleared waivers. Blomqvist last started on Nov. 11 in a 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. He was pulled after making five saves on eight shots. However, the Penguins poor play continued in that game as they gave up six first-period goals.
Blomqvist, 23, made eight starts in his previous NHL stint and posted a .904 save percentage, which stands as the highest among all Penguins goalies this season.
Washington is riding the wave of successful offseason moves. They gambled by trading Darcy Kuemper to the LA Kings for out-of-favor center Pierre-Luc Dubois and his hefty eight-year contract. The gamble is paying off, as Dubois has 34 points (7-24-34) in 45 games. Washington also acquired highly sought defenseman Jakob Chyhrun, who has 30 points in 40 games.
Several Capitals stalwarts that many Penguins fans remember from the last decade-plus of bare-knuckled battles are essentially retired due to injuries. T.J. Oshie and Nick Backstrom are no longer part of the battle, but 39-year-old Alex Ovechkin has 21 goals this season and is furiously chasing down Wayne Gretzeky’s all-time goals record (894). Ovechkin is 21 short.
*Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was out Friday due to illness. His status for today is unknown. Grzelcyk assumed right-side duties Friday, and Owen Pickering drew into the lineup beside Erik Karlsson.
Penguins Lines
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Anthony Beauvillier
Drew O’Connor-Kevin Hayes-Philip Tomasino
Blake Lizotte-Cody Glass-Noel Acciari
Defense
Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang?
Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves-P.O Joseph
Capitals Lines, Per Daily Faceoff
Alex Ovechkin-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Aliekei Protas
Connor McMichael–Dylan Strome–Tom Wilson
Taylor Raddysh-Lars Eller-Ethan Frank
Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Andrew Mangiapane
Defense
Rasmus Sandin-John Carlson
Martin Fehervary-Matt Roy
Jakob Chychrun-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Goalies: Logan Thompson/Charlie Lindgren
Special Teams
Penguins power play: 27.0%, 4th. Penguins penalty kill: 79.2%, 16th.
Capitals Power Play: 23.4%, 10th. Capitals Penalty Kill: 83.9%, 3rd.
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins have points in six-straight visits to Capital One Arena (5-0-1) and are 7-1-1 in their last nine road games against the Capitals.
Tonight, the Penguins conclude their 10th set of back-to-back games. Thus far, the team is 8-11-0 in back-to-backs (2-8-0 on the first night and 6-3-0 on the second night).
With four hits last night, Noel Acciari has reached his third-straight and sixth season overall with 100 or more hits. He leads all Pittsburgh skaters with 100 hits.
With his fourth multi-point effort of the year last night (0-2-2), Matt Grzelcyk has established a new career high in assists (23), passing his previous high of 22 set in 75 games with Boston in 22-23.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 The X
Categorized:Penguins Penguins Pregame
How was the ride on the Capital Limited this morning Dan?
It was the Floridian. A disabled freight train blocked the tracks in Connellsville for over 2 hours. The internet didn’t work. The tracks are through mountains, rural spots with no cell service, so I was cutoff for most of six hours. The cafe car had one guy working for like 200 people. Wasn’t a fan.
So goals against WSH is currently at 113 and 175 against PIT. And ironically they have the cheapest tandem of goalies in the entire league.
Logan Thompson was traded for 2 x 3rd-picks and is making $766,666 this season. 3rd in the league with .924 SV%.
Im sure Dubas is a nice guy, but it’s pretty obvious he’s not judicious as a hockey person.
Wow