The Pittsburgh Penguins are sticking in the playoff race with a winning combination.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins return home riding a three-game winning streak and are just one win away from finding themselves in a playoff spot. With the season on the line for seemingly the last two weeks, the Penguins have flipped the switch on their season and are one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference wild card race.

However, their next test will be challenging as the Penguins host the Tampa Bay Lightning. With so much on the line, the Penguins are likely to stick with what’s working and not make any rash changes to the lineup.

Projected Forward Lines

Drew O’Connor – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Sidney Crosby saw his six-game point streak end against the Washington Capitals but is just one goal shy of hitting 40 for the third time in his career. Every game for the rest of the year will be do-or-die for the Penguins, and Crosby will surely be the center of attention down the stretch.

Michael Bunting – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell

Michael Bunting has been in Pittsburgh for 15 games and has quickly become a fan favorite. In the Penguins' win over the Capitals, he scored his fourth goal, and this was his first one not within an arm’s length of the opposing goalie.

Bunting has turned into the Penguins’ secret weapon and has been a perfect fit for Evgeni Malkin since they started sharing a line.

Reilly Smith – Lars Eller – Emil Bemstrom

Bemstrom was promoted to the third line against the Capitals, and while he didn’t record a point, his linemates did. Reilly Smith notched a pair of assists, and Lars Eller sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

Jesse Puljujarvi – Jeff Carter – Valtteri Puustinen

With Bemstrom bumped up, Valtteri Puustinen was dropped to the fourth line. Despite sitting the move, Puustinen is still finding opportunities to produce. He recorded the primary assist on Bunting’s goal and is a point shy of 20 on the season.

Projected Defensive Pairs

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

Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that John Ludvig will remain out of the lineup on a day-to-day basis. At this point, the Penguins shouldn’t mess with a winning combination. P.O. Joseph scored against the Capitals, and Ryan Shea notched his first NHL goal. It may not be a perfect combination on the blue line, but the Penguins have something rolling on defense right now.

Starting Goalie

Alex Nedeljkovic

For the eighth straight game, the Penguins are turning to Alex Nedeljkovic as the starting netminder. At this point, it's safe to say that Nedeljkovic has taken over as the starting goalie down the stretch. Tristan Jarry might get a start or two to keep him warm, but until the wheels fall off of Nedeljkovic, it’s his net.

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