Penguins Game 76, StL Heater; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Blues

ST. LOUIS — The Pittsburgh Penguins (30-34-11) are doing more than playing out the season; they are visibly turning the page toward next season. While their tragic number is down to just seven points with seven games to play, the game will feature a pair of rookies and a goaltender still fighting to secure a job for next season. The Penguins will face the red-hot St. Louis Blues, who have won 10 straight, on Thursday at the Enterprise Center.

The puck drops just after 8 p.m. ET.

The last time the Blues lost was March 13 … against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Tristan Jarry will start. Jarry has started all but one game over the past month, though he hasn’t finished two of the last three. Sunday, he rebounded from a pair of abysmal team games to post a 1-0 overtime shutout over the playoff-bound Ottawa Senators.

Read More: The Rookies Shine and Jarry Stops 31; Crosby Scores Dramatic OT Winner

Sidney Crosby scored the OT winner at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins’ game on Thursday begins their penultimate road trip, which will include stops in St. Louis, Dallas, and Chicago.

Thursday will also be the second game for the new Penguins rebuild, featuring rookies Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen. Neither had a point Sunday, but both drew positive reviews.

Read More: Rutger McGroarty’s Busted Skate & Big Moments; The Full Story Shift by Shift (+)

On the ice side of the ice, the previously left-for-dead St. Louis Blues have won 10 straight to assert themselves into the playoff race. St. Louis has raced to seven points ahead of the Calgary Flames for the second Western Conference wild-card spot, though Calgary has two games in hand.

Relax and enjoy the devil-may-care attitude around the Penguins right now.

Penguins Injuries: Evgeni Malkin, P.O Joseph, Tommy Novak, and Boko Imama are out. Only Malkin is on the trip. He skated with the team during the optional morning skate on Thursday.

Penguins Lines

Rutger McGroarty-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Connor Dewar-Rickard Rakell-Ville Koivunen

Philip Tomasino-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari

Danton Heinen-Blake Lizotte/Joona Koppanen-Emil Bemstrom

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Conor Timmins-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Goalie: Tristan Jarry

Blues Lines

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich

Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Zach Bolduc-Oskar Sundqvist-Jimmy Snuggerud

Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker

Defense

Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk

Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy

Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker

Goalie: Joel Hofer

Special Teams

The Penguins power play: 24.3%, 1oth. Penguins penalty kill: 77.8%, 17th.

Blues power play: 21.0%, 19th. Blues penalty kill: 73.4%, 29th.

Penguins game Notes

Have their number: The Penguins are 7-1-0 over the last eight games against the Blues and have points in 11 of their last 14 going back to Feb. 14, 2017.

Jarry has played in eight career games versus St. Louis, going 7-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .926 save percentage, and one shutout.

Bryan Rust has 16 points (5G-9A) in his last 10 games against St. Louis dating back to Feb. 4, 2017, including six multi-point games.

Sidney Crosby has a league-leading 10-game points streak. In that time, he has 15 points, including eight goals.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; Radio: 105.9 The X