Penguins Pregame: Pettersson Out Again; DeSmith Starts

RALEIGH, N.C. — Defenseman Marcus Pettersson, who sat out the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-1 loss to Winnipeg Friday night at PPG Paints Arena because of illness, did not travel here with the team.

That means he will miss his second game in a row when the Penguins face Carolina tonight at 7:08 at PNC Arena.

Casey DeSmith, who was replaced by Dustin Tokarski after allowing three goals on seven shots during what became a 5-4 victory over Vancouver Tuesday, will get the start in goal against the Hurricanes.

He is 1-1-1, with a 2.33 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in three career appearances against Carolina.

Tokarski played against the Jets Friday, stopping 36 of 40 shots.

No. 1 goalie Tristan Jarry, who was injured during the first period of the Winter Classic Jan. 2 at Fenway Park, will miss his fifth consecutive game this evening, but Mike Sullivan said “we are very hopeful” that Jarry will return to practice during the coming week.

Losing Pettersson Friday meant the Pittsburgh Penguins were without their top three defensemen.

Kris Letang has not played since Dec. 28 and, at last report, still was in Montreal with his family after his father died two weeks ago.

Jeff Petry, meanwhile, last was in the lineup Dec. 10 and has been on the Long-Term Injured list, although he is eligible to return to active duty as soon as he gets medical clearance.

Petry has resumed skating, but has not been involved in any full-team workouts.