No Letang, Reverse Retros Debut: Penguins Lines, Preview vs. NYR

Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3-1) defenseman Kris Letang will not play Monday night after suffering a lower-body injury Saturday night against the New York Rangers (2-4-2). The Penguins beat New York in overtime on Saturday, which touched off big changes in the New York organization.

According to Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, Kris Letang is still being evaluated. He is out day-to-day.

On Saturday, Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner in OT, after an apparent miscommunication between defenseman Tony DeAngelo and goalie Alexandar Georgiev. Following the game, DeAngelo confronted Georgiev and engaged in a physical altercation with teammate Chris Kreider.

Sunday, New York waived DeAngelo despite his success last season with 53 points. He began this season on New York’s top pairing, but he cleared waivers Monday. New York has not yet decided DeAngelo’s fate. The team could allow him to become a free agent or assign him to the AHL. His contract carries a $4.8 AAV through next season.

The Penguins again rallied in the third period to tie the game and win in OT. That is their sixth third-period comeback for points in nine games this season.

One difference from Saturday, the Penguins scored twice in the first period and led.

Penguins rookie defenseman P-O Joseph had a pair of assists in the first period and assisted on Crosby’s GWG. Watch P-O’s slick assists here (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed backup Casey DeSmith would make his fourth start this season. DeSmith stopped 29 of 33 shots for his third win this season. Sullivan did not appear to make any changes to the Penguins lines in the morning skate.

Game Notes & Special Teams

*New York ranks third in the NHL in shots on goal per game in 2020-21 (33.6) and has recorded 30 or more shots on goal in six of the last seven games.

*Each of New York’s last six games and six of the team’s eight games this season has been decided by one goal.

*Igor Shesterkin has earned a win in 107 of his 137 regular-season appearances in the NHL, AHL, and KHL since the start of the 2016-17 season.

*Sidney Crosby’s 18th-career overtime goal surpassed Ilya Kovalchuk for the third-most overtime goals in NHL history.

*The Penguins have points in 10-straight games versus New York (7-0-3).

*On Saturday, Evgeni Malkin skated in his 916th game. He surpassed Mario Lemieux for second place on the Penguins all-time games played list.

*Winner: The Penguins are 4-1-1 with Kapanen in the lineup this season.

*The Penguins’ five wins when either trailing or tied after the second period are most in the NHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins Lines

Penguins Betting Odds

We had a good night on Saturday and hit both of our bets. We don’t take the easy ones, and we’re 6-4 this season.

If you’re interested in placing a couple of bets, the Rivers Casino offers a $250 match on deposits here (Bet Rivers). Send me a screenshot of your deposit, and we’ll give you a free PHN+ subscription. Email us here. 

The one bet that we definitely like is the 6.5 OVER. These teams aren’t so great in their own zone, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their backup goalie in the net.

We also like the Penguins, -112, on the money line, which means $10 pays $19. Vegas thinks the New York Rangers will win, and surely that they will cover the 1 or 1.5 goal spread. Skip the spread. We like the Penguins to win, even without Letang and with a patchwork defense (remember, take the over, first).

The Penguins will have to win another 5-4 game, which is fine by us.

How to Watch

TV: AT&T SportsNet, NBCSN

Radio: 105.9 The X