Penguins Game 62, the Big Dig; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Bruins

The Pittsburgh Penguins (24-28-9) would need a near-perfect run to end the season in order to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, the team is adjusting and still fighting against the odds as they face the Boston Bruins (27-25-8), who find themselves in a similar archetype situation as the Penguins.

The puck drops just after 3 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins heartbroken energy continued from their 6-1 beatdown by the Philadelphia Flyers into their rematch Thursday. The Penguins were awful for the first 27 minutes and trailed 3-0 at home, but then coach Mike Sullivan pulled Alex Nedeljkovic, and the fireworks began.

Read More: Watch Nedeljkovic Meltdown; Slams Stick, Yells at Team/Coaches

Nedeljkovic snapped, either at his teammates for their horrendous play or coaches for pulling him. Regardless of the target, Nedeljkovic’s outburst sparked the Penguins, who rallied for a 5-4 overtime win.

Erik Karlsson had a pair of goals, and Evgeni Malkin notched two goals–the tying goal and the overtime winner. Rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist finished the game, stopping 21 of 22 shots. He’s the likely starter on Saturday, though both goalies will get a start as the Penguins have back-to-back games at home (Sunday vs. Toronto).

Philip Tomasino scored the other Penguins goal. Tomasino also has four goals in the last eight games.

The Boston Bruins find themselves at the crossroads of their direction. President Cam Neely said recently the organization was planning for two paths, a sell-off or to become buyers, based on the team’s standing.

However, the Bruins have remained close in the playoff chase. They are four points out and have played one more game than the second wild-card-holding Columbus Blue Jackets.

Even captain Brad Marchand’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors, as the Bruins have just three wins in their last 10 games (3-5-2).

Defenseman Charlie McAvoy (Penguins coach Mike Sullivan’s son-in-law) remains out of the lineup after he suffered a shoulder injury that became infected in the Four Nations Face-Off tournament.

Penguins winger Michael Bunting is out of the lineup after having his appendix removed this week. Also, the Penguins have not yet dressed Vladislav Kolyachonok, whom they picked up on waivers from Utah HC. The third pairing of Ryan Graves and Vincent Desharnais was on the ice for a pair of the Flyers’ four goals Thursday and did not have a good game. Today might be Kolyachonok’s debut. Or P.O Joseph could be reinserted into the lineup.

PHN will update the lines and starting goalie after coach Mike Sullivan addresses the media at 1 p.m.

Penguins Lines

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 Shea-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Vincent Desharnais

Goalie: Joel Blomqvist

Bruins Lines

Morgan Geekie-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak

Brad Marchand-Elias Lindholm-Charlie Coyle

Riley Tuftey-Matthew Poitras-Justin Brazeau

Cole Koepke-John Beecher-Mark Kastelic

Defense

Nikita Zadorov-Brandon Carlo

Mason Lohrei-Andrew Peeke

Michael Callahan-Parker Wortherspoon

Goalie: Jeremy Swayman/Joonas Korpisalo

Special Teams

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

Bruins power play: 15.1%, 29th. Bruins penalty kill: 75.8%, 24th.

Penguins Game Notes

The Penguins have points in 10 of its last 14 home games against Boston dating back to Dec. 14, 2016 (9-4-1).

The Penguins have not fared well in the front end of back-to-back games. They are 3-9-0.

Danton Heinen has four points (1-3-4) over his last five games.

Ryan Shea’s 21:47 of ice time Thursday vs. Philadelphia was a career-high.

Erik Karlsson has been on an offensive tear as of late. The defenseman has points in eight of his last nine games.

How to Watch

TV: ABC

Radio: 105.9 The X