Penguins vs Hurricanes: Top Prospect Returns to NHL Lineup
The Pittsburgh Penguins will finally see the long-awaited return of one of their organization's top prospects.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have returned home after a disastrous road streak that ended with them blowing a 4-0 lead to the Colorado Avalanche. They may be back home, but the tests aren’t getting easier for the Penguins as they host another Stanley Cup contender in the Carolina Hurricanes.
This will be the Penguins' first time playing against Jake Guentzel since they traded him, and he has made the Hurricanes a tougher team to play against.
The Penguins lineup won’t see too many changes, but there was one huge recall with Noel Acciari likely being out for the season.
Forward Lines
Drew O’Connor – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Sidney Crosby contributed to each of the Penguins four goals against the Avalanche, yet his team couldn’t hold on to that massive lead. No matter where the Penguins are in the standings, Crosby will do everything he can to help them win. That shouldn’t change even as the season nears its conclusion.
Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell
The Penguins aren't changing their middle six forwards in hopes they can find the traction they had earlier in the road trip. Against the Dallas Stars, this second line showed they are well worth the combination.
Reilly Smith – Lars Eller – Valtteri Puustinen
These three were hot for a few games, but nothing has come since. Valtteri Puustinen had a smart play against the Avalanche, but there hasn't been much more production from this line elsewhere.
Jonathan Gruden – Sam Poulin – Jesse Puljujarvi
After 16 months, Sam Poulin has returned to the Penguins NHL lineup. It's been a long road for Poulin and he is ready for a new opportunity with the big club.
Jonathan Gruden was recalled by the Penguins moments before warmup, which indicated that Jeff Carter was still on the shelf with an upper-body injury. Carter is missing his fourth consecutive game.
Jesse Puljujarvi will stick in the lineup after one of the best games he's had with the Penguins.
Defensive Pairs
P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves – Jack St. Ivany
After missing a pair of games for personal reasons, Ryan Graves has returned to the lineup. Graves' return pushes John Ludvig out while Jack St. Ivany prepares for his third career game.
Starting Goalie
Alex Nedeljkovic
In the third period against the Avalanche, Alex Nedeljkovic took a pretty big bump and was pulled from the contest by NHL concussion spotters. After a few minutes away, he was cleared an able to return to the game.
Nedeljkovic said following the contest that he was all good and with his start against the Hurricanes, he obviously won’t miss any time.
This will be the second time this season Nedeljkovic plays against the Hurricanes. The last time saw Nedeljkovic only surrender one goal in a 2-1 shootout victory.
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