Penguins Game 67, New Auditions; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. VGK

The Pittsburgh Penguins (25-31-10) have new goals for the next 16 games. The playoff chase is barely a mathematical possibility, so the team is readjusting to new individual opportunities as they face the Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-6) on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena.

The puck drops just after 7 p.m.

The Penguins have a roster of second- and third-chance players, including newly acquired defenseman Conor Timmins and forward Emil Bemstrom. However, the most notable second-chance player is Tristan Jarry, who was recalled from his exile in the AHL last week.

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Jarry started and was brilliant in the Penguins’ 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild Sunday at Xcel Energy Center. Jarry stopped 29 of 30 shots, and teammates and coaches alike heaped praise upon him.

“He was awesome tonight, and he’s been through a lot,” said Bryan Rust. “Obviously, he’s come right back up here. Great attitude. Came in and had a hell of a game. I think that shows how high character he is, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Jarry earned his first NHL win since being recalled and his first since Dec. 23. He will start on Tuesday.

Sidney Crosby scored two goals, including the game-winner and empty-netter, and Evgeni Malkin scored the first goal in the Penguins win. It was a fitting scoresheet for the emotional game, which was Minnesota goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s last game against the Penguins.

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Fleury spent 14 years in the Penguins organization and was the team’s first-round pick (first overall) in 2003.

Vegas has won four of its last six games. The only losses are against the LA Kings, who have the Golden Knights’ number. Our colleague Hannah Kirkell broke down the Golden Knights’ problems and warning signs.

The Golden Knights also beat the Penguins Friday at T-Mobile Arena, 4-0. The Penguins were flat and didn’t seem close to cracking Vegas goalie Ilya Samsonov. In the end, the Penguins gave up a pair of goals in 54 seconds early in the third period, and both teams coasted toward the finish line.

The Penguins emergency recalled Matt Nieto and defenseman Sebastian Aho following Ryan Shea’s and Tommy Novak’s absences.

Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Connor Dewar-Evgeni Malkin-Philip Tomasino

Danton Heinen-Kevin Hayes-Emil Bemstrom

Boko Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Defenseman

Vladislav Kolyachonok-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Conor Timmons

Goalie: Tristan Jarry

Golden Knights Lines

Tanner Pearson-Jack Eichel-Mark Stone

Brandon Saad-Tomáš Hertl-Pavel Dorofeyev

Ivan Barbashev-Brett Howden-Keegan Kolesar

Reilly Smith-Nicolas Roy-Victor Olofsson

Defense

Nicolas Hague-Alex Pietrangelo

Noah Hanifin-Zach Whitecloud

Brayden McNabb-Kaedan Korczak

Goaltenders: Adin Hill/Ilya Samsonov

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 24.2%, 9th. Penguins penalty kill: 78.9%, 17th.

Golden Knights power play: 28.5%, 2nd. Golden Knights penalty kill: 76.2%, 23rd.

Penguins Game Notes

The Penguins have won five of its last eight games against Vegas (5-3-0) dating back to Jan. 7, 2020, and have never lost a season series to Vegas since the Golden Knights entered the league in the 2017-18 season.

The Penguins are 5-1-0 all-time against Vegas at PPG Paints Arena.

Tristan Jarry is 4-2-0 with a .921 save percentage and 2.52 goals-against average in six career games against Vegas.

Sidney Crosby’s first goal on Sunday was the 96th game-winning goal of his career. He tied Mats Sundin (96) for the 12th-most game-winning goals in NHL history.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The X