Penguins vs Flames: No Changes After Tough Loss
Despite some late-game shuffling, the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely continue with the same lineup.
PITTSBURGH – Entering their third game of a four-game road trip, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to take on the Calgary Flames. After a tough loss to the Seattle Kraken, the Penguins will look for a quick bounce back to keep the possibility of a playoff push alive.
Head coach Mike Sullivan made some roster moves in the middle of the loss to the Kraken, but things will likely be put back to normal, at least for the start against the Flames.
Projected Forward Lines
Reilly Smith – Sidney Crosby – Rickard Rakell
With minutes ticking off the clock in Seattle, Reilly Smith was stapled to the Penguins’ bench. This could be Smith’s last chance with the Penguins as teams continue to call about the veteran forward, and the trade deadline is closing in.
Drew O’Connor – Evgeni Malkin – Valtteri Puustinen
The Penguins have liked what they’ve seen from youngsters Drew O’Connor and Valtteri Puustinen. There is a fundamental belief that this trio can be successful, and it will stick as the games become more and more critical.
Emil Bemstrom – Lars Eller – Jesse Puljujarvi
Emil Bemstrom is still new, but he’s been learning the ropes pretty well, and much of that is thanks to Lars Eller. Head coach Mike Sullivan joked that Eller leads the league in linemates, and that’s not an accident. Any time a new face joins the Penguins, playing alongside the veteran center is a great way to get acclimated to the team.
Jansen Harkins – Noel Acciari – Jeff Carter
Until an injury or big shakeup happens, there will likely be no change to the Penguins’ fourth line. They remain steady defensively, even if no scoring is on the horizon.
Projected Defensive Pairs
P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves – Chad Ruhwedel
No movement among the Penguins’ blue-liners is expected. Much like the fourth line, barring significant changes, this is likely how things will look.
Starting Goalie
Tristan Jarry
Sullivan confirmed that Jarry will start between the pipes against the Flames in the opening half of a back-to-back. This will be Jarry’s fifth straight start for the Penguins.
With a trip to Edmonton scheduled for the following day, it is expected that Alex Nedeljkovic will make the start against the Oilers.
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