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    Nick Horwat
    Nick Horwat
    Apr 4, 2023, 11:41

    Not that the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins' schedule is a cake walk, but the New Jersey Devils present the largest challenge.

    Not that the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins' schedule is a cake walk, but the New Jersey Devils present the largest challenge.

    Including their matchup against the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins have five games remaining in the 2022-23 regular season.

    With 10 possible points on the line and still in a three-way dog fight for two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference, the Penguins need every point they can get.

    While their schedule may look easy down the stretch, the Devils present arguably the biggest challenge left.

    Here are three things to watch for when the Penguins visit the Devils.

    Avoiding the Sweep

    The Penguins have struggled to find wins over teams heading to the postseason, and the Devils are one of the surprising ones.

    In their first three games against the Devils this season, the Penguins are 0-2-1 and would like to steal two points in the final battle.

    The Penguins have already been swept by the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes this season, and can’t afford to add another team to that list.

    Sidney Crosby Chasing History… Again

    Regardless of their record, It’s been a season of milestones for the Penguins, and their captain is closing in on another big one.

    Sidney Crosby enters New Jersey just three points shy of 1,500 for his career, and could easily hit the mark in just one game.

    This will be something to watch for in every game until the number is hit, but Crosby is prone to popping off and putting up three points in a single game.

    Crosby has already scored 3+ points in a single game 10 time this season, and doing it one more time would go a long way in beating the Devils.

    Between Penguins Pipes

    The goaltending situation in Pittsburgh has been less than ideal this season and a problem that desperately needs to get solved before the postseason arrives.

    Sure, the Penguins’ spot in the playoffs isn’t guaranteed yet, but if Tristan Jarry and/or Casey DeSmith can figure something out, they’ll be the biggest key.

    There have been points this season where both looked worthy of the starting job, while they’ve also both looked unusable at times.

    Things are desperate and the Penguins need one of their goalies to prove worthy of the starting job.

    Jarry should be the go-to option; he’s the starting goalie on paper and the Penguins would get a huge morale boost if they get the best out of him.

    The Penguins are 38-29-10, and with five games remaining, are still hunting down a spot in the Eastern Conference wild card.

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

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