The Pittsburgh Penguins finish their season series with the Columbus Blue Jackets still eyeing the postseason.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are embarking on a four-game road trip that kicks off with the second half of a home-and-home series with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Riding a three-game point streak, the Penguins are keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

Against the only team eliminated from playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, the Penguins have a real chance of crawling back into the tight race.

Forward Lines

Drew O’Connor – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Sidney Crosby is closing in on history in more ways than one and will continue to help keep the Penguins in the playoff hunt. Crosby is 10 points out of 10^th most all-time, five assists away from 1,000 in his career, and needs just four more points for his 19^th career point-per-game season.

The penguins’ season may feel over, but Crosby still has a ton to play for in the final 10 games of the year.

Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell

With his parents in the crowd for the first time in five seasons, Evgeni Malkin had himself a night in the last Penguins’ contest. Malkin scored twice on the power play and said having his parents in town helped with his confidence.

This game may be on the road, but if Malkin can continue some elite-level play, the Penguins can make things interesting down the stretch.

Reilly Smith – Lars Eller – Valtteri Puustinen

This line was hot for a few games but has severely fallen off since. Valtteri Puustinen still looks like a strong shooter but hasn’t found the back of the net in five games. Something will have to give here with this line soon or some changes will need to be made.

Jesse Puljujarvi – Sam Poulin – Jeff Carter

The Penguins re-assigned Jonathan Gruden to the AHL, all but sealing this trio as the fourth line going forward. Emil Bemstrom is still around as a healthy scratch and can be an option, but likely won’t return to the lineup any time soon.

Defensive Pairs

P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
John Ludvig – Jack St. Ivany

Before departing for Columbus, the Penguins announced that Ryan Graves had been diagnosed with a concussion. They also recalled Ryan Shea from the AHL, but he will be a healthy scratch for John Ludvig.

Ludvig returns to the Penguins lineup after spending one game as a healthy scratch.

Starting Goalie

Alex Nedeljkovic

For the fourth consecutive game, the Penguins are going with Alex Nedeljkovic to start in goal. He’s been the better netminder as of late, and if he seals another win, it’s very possible he will claim the starting role for the rest of the season.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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