Penguins Game 61, Falling Hard; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins (23-28-9) lost the first three games out of the season break and are now nine points out of a playoff spot with just 22 games remaining. They get a rematch with cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers (26-26-7) Thursday night, following the Flyers’ 6-1 win in Philly on Tuesday.

The puck drop has been moved to just after 7:30 p.m. for TV purposes.

The Penguins have lost four in a row and played two more games than the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold the second wild card. According to MoneyPuck.com, the Penguins have a 0.2% chance of making the playoffs.

The Penguins were embarrassed Tuesday in the lopsided loss against the Flyers. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic blamed himself. He stopped only 32 of 38, including some stoppable goals. However, coach Mike Sullivan flambeed his team.

“It’s hard to win when you don’t manage the puck, you turn it over in the wrong areas of the rink, and you don’t win a puck battle in any zone,” said Sullivan.

Philip Tomasino scored the only Penguins goal.

A couple of Flyers had a night. Bobby Brink had four points, including one goal. Noah Cates had a pair of goals.

Alex Nedeljovic will start in goal for the Penguins. Matt Nieto cleared waivers, and Boko Imama will be available. However, Michael Bunting will be out indefinitely after having his appendix removed.

Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Anthony Beauvillier-Evgeni Malkin-Cody Glass

Danton Heinen-Kevin Hayes-Phillip Tomasino

Boko Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Defense

Ryan Graves-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Shea-Vincent Deshairnais

Goalie: Alex Nedeljkovic

Flyers Lines

Tyson Foerster-Noah Cates-Bobby Brink

Owen Tippett-Sean Couturier-Matvei Michkov

Andrei Kuzmenko-Scott Laughton-Travis Konecny

Jakob Pelletier-Ryan Poehling-Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen

Cam York-Travis Sanheim

Egor Zamula-Rasmus Ristolainen

Nick Seeler-Jamie Drysdale

Goalie: Sam Ersson

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 24.4%, 8th. Penguins penalty kill: 79.4%, 15th.

Flyers power play: 15.8%, 28th. Flyers penalty kill: 78.9%, 18th.

Penguins Game Notes

The Penguins are 12-5-3 in their last 20 games played against the Flyers and are 7-0-2 in the last nine at home.

Kevin Hayes has four points (1-3-4) over his last six games.

Since 2006-07, no defenseman has more points against the Flyers than Kris Letang (53).

Rickard Rakell has been having a career year with the Penguins, leading the team in goals (25) and ranking second in points (49).

Erik Karlsson leads the Penguins in points in February (1-6-7). Rakell has six points, and Tomasino and Sidney Crosby have five.

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+, Hulu; Radio: 105.9 The X