Penguins
Penguins Game 6: History Repeating? Lines, Notes & Preview vs. Rangers
Evgeni Malkin, you’re up. Since Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan ruled out Sidney Crosby and Tristan Jarry for Game 6, the Penguins’ second-line center will lead the team in an elimination game against the New York Rangers.
The Penguins lead New York 3-2 and will advance to Round Two for the first time since 2018 with a win.
It’s could also be history repeating itself. In 1992, Rangers forward Adam Graves intentionally injured Mario Lemieux with a two-handed slash, breaking Lemieux’s wrist. Those Penguins leaned on Ron Francis as the top center to beat the Rangers.
Sidney Crosby left Game 5 after what appeared to be an elbow to his head from New York defenseman Jacob Trouba. The NHL declined to punish Trouba, and Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan would say only that Crosby was being evaluated for an upper-body injury on Thursday when the team returned from New York.
That’s the kind version. PHN scribe Dave Molinari took a more blunt tone: Want to take a whack at Sidney Crosby’s head? Take a number.
On Friday, Malkin will lead the Penguins against the Rangers, just as Francis did in ’92.
Crosby skated early Friday morning before the morning skate, but
The Penguins will need a strong effort from Malkin, who historically shines in Crosby’s absence, including the 2011 Hart Trophy. Malkin has a pair of goals in the series, including the dramatic Game 1 winner in triple OT, but he also lost his composure in the third with a few cross-checks and undisciplined play.
The Penguins largely controlled play, aside from three minutes following Trouba’s headshot on Crosby when the New York Rangers scored three goals.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that New York should feel pretty good about escaping a wild game, having Trouba in the lineup, and gain confidence from beating the Penguins. It might have been the confidence boost the young team needs.
Game 6 should be interesting on several levels.
Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry took part in the morning skate as a full participant. However, he will not play. Sullivan said that Jarry would play when doctors, coaches, and player are comfortable. PHN was told that Jarry badly wanted to play.
Sullivan said Crosby skated on Friday morning and will not play. Rickard Rakell participated in the morning skate but didn’t participate in line rushes. He is a game-time decision.
Louis Domingue will start for the Penguins. Igor Shesterkin will go for the Rangers.
Expected Pittsburgh Penguins Lines
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Guentzel | Sidney Crosby | Bryan Rust |
| Jason Zucker | Evgeni Malkin | Rickard Rakell |
| Danton Heinen | Ryan Poehling | Kasperi Kapanen |
| Brock McGinn | Sam Poulin | Drew O'Connor |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Brian Dumoulin | Kris Letang |
| Marcus Pettersson | Jeff Petry |
| P.O Joseph | Jan Rutta |
| Goalie |
|---|
| Tristan Jarry |
| Casey DeSmith |
New York Rangers Expected Lines per PuckPedia.com:
Kreider-Zbinejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafreniere-Chytil-Kakko
Goodrow-Rooney-Reaves
Defense:
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Nemeth-Schneider
Goalie:
Igor Shesterkin
How to Watch:
TV: AT&T SportsNet, TNT, Sportsnet, TVA; Radio: 105.9 The X
Pittsburgh Penguins Game Notes:
*The Penguins are 9-8 in games where they can clinch a series under head coach Mike Sullivan.
*The Penguins are 20-11 all-time under head coach Mike Sullivan in the playoffs following a loss (7-1 in 2016; 7-2 in 2017; 3-2 in 2018; 0-3 in 2019; 1-1 in 2020; 1-2 in 2021; 1-0 in 2022)
*Jake Guentzel scored for the fifth-straight game on Monday and is the first player in franchise history to score at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ first five games from the start of a postseason. A goal tonight would give him the third-longest goal streak (tied) in franchise playoff history (Mario Lemieux scored in seven straight playoff games twice. He also scored in six straight games once).Â
DraftKings Promo, Pittsburgh Penguins Betting:
Ok, this is a tough one to call. All signs point to a Rangers win. No Crosby, no Crosby, and no Crosby gives the Rangers a significant advantage.
Two “Bet Against Dan and Make Money” picks today.
The pick today–use the free $50 bet DraftKings Promo here before they pull that promotion (hurry up, it’s probably soon)–Mark Friedman is +950 is to score. He’s had a few good chances by joining the rush and jumping into the slot. A $10 bet gets you $95.
Frank Vatrano is +255 to score, too.
The other bet we like, because of the odds, is the Penguins +1.5 (+265). If you bet the entire $50 DraftKings promo bet on the Penguins to cover, the payout is $182.
[bet-promo id=”23817″ ]
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