The Pittsburgh Penguins (6-2-0) have won four in a row, and done so in several different ways. Saturday, the team will refire their dormant Hall of Fame by inducting luminaries Kevin Stevens, Eddie Johnston, Scotty Bowman, and Ron Francis in pregame ceremonies, then the team will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4-0).
The puck will drop after 7 p.m., but the team suggests fans be in their seats before 7 p.m. for the ceremony.
Also, with 5th Ave. reduced to rubble, you may want to consider giving yourself a few extra minutes to park downtown and walk up to the barn or park on the North Side and take the T (and say hi if we bump into each other).
The Penguins survived a beatdown by the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Penguins had an answer for every goal, and despite allowing 81 shot attempts, they beat Florida 5-3 in Florida.
Sidney Crosby had a pair of power-play goals, and Tristan Jarry stopped 34 of 37 shots.
Columbus has been involved in a pair of 5-1 games this week, beating the Dallas Stars in Dallas on Tuesday and getting whacked by the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Based on trends, expect Arturs Silovs in the Penguins’ net and Elvis Merzlikins for Columbus. Ben Kindel, who scored his second NHL goal Thursday, appears to be scratched Saturday as part of his workload management program. Coach Dan Muse indicated fellow rookie Harrison Brunicke will also remain out of the lineup after being scratched on Thursday.
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 The X
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha-Evgeni Malkin-Justin Brazeau
Filip Hallander-Tommy Novak-Philip Tomasino
Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea-Kris Letang
Matt Dumba-Connor Clifton
Goalie: Arturs Silovs
Penguins power play: 33.3%, 1st. Penguins penalty kill: 76.0, 17th.
Columbus power play: 16.7%, 24th. Columbus penalty kill: 76%, 32nd.
The Penguins have points in 15 of their last 16 games (12-1-3) against the Blue Jackets dating back to Dec. 12, 2019. The Penguins are 24-4-1 all-time at PPG Paints Arena.
Rickard Rakell is riding an active five-game point streak (2-4-6).
Tristan Jarry has an 8-2-2 record in 12 starts against the Blue Jackets in his career, with a 2.64 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
Only the Colorado Avalanche (3) and Philadelphia Flyers (4) have allowed fewer goals against in the third period than Pittsburgh (5).
Only the Boston Bruins (158) and New Jersey Devils (150) have blocked more shots this season than the Penguins (148).
A win tonight would give the Penguins their first five-game winning streak since going 5-0-0 from Nov. 4-14, 2023.
Categorized: Penguins Pregame
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