The Pittsburgh Penguins are set for a must-win final home game of the 2023-24 season.

PITTSBURGH – The 2023-24 regular season is nearing a conclusion, and with two games remaining, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in clear desperation mode. The Penguins are a single point out of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot and will need outside help to jump back into that position.

In their final home game of the season, the Penguins will take on the Nashville Predators in a game they literally cannot afford to lose. If the Penguins lose and one of the Detroit Red Wings or Washington Capitals wins, their season is over.

With so much on the line, there isn’t expected much change within the Penguins lineup.

Projected Forward Lines

Drew O’Connor – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Drew O’Connor has had an outstanding season and earned his right to play on the first line alongside Sidney Crosby. He may not be the best winger ever to play next to Crosby, but he continues to make his presence known every game.

Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell

It has been a hard year for Rickard Rakell, but playing with Michael Bunting and Evgeni Malkin has helped him make huge strides in the right direction. After not scoring through his first 19 games of the season, then another 15-game goal drought, Rakell has started to score with some regularity.

In 68 games this season, Rakell has picked up 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 total points.

Reilly Smith – Lars Eller – Valtteri Puustinen

Lars Eller was absent from the Penguins morning skate ahead of their matchup with the Predators. Head coach Mike Sullivan said Eller would be available, so it is safe to say Eller would continue to be in the lineup.

Jansen Harkins – Jeff Carter – Emil Bemstrom

Jansen Harkins recently returned from a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League and was also listed as available by Sullivan. Harkins will likely see his first NHL action since early-March and take over for the recalled Radim Zohorna.

Projected Defensive Pairings

P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea – Jack St. Ivany

Like Eller, Kris Letang was also absent from the morning skate. Letang has been absent from numerous practices and skates over the last week or so, with Sullivan saying he is on a maintenance program. Sullivan confirmed that Letang will also be available to play against the Predators.

Starting Goalie

Alex Nedeljkovic

The season is on the line, and the Penguins are going with the guy who got them to this point. Alex Nedeljkovic may have been pulled against the Boston Bruins, but he’ll work back for his 12^th straight start.

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

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