Penguins' defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has been Pittsburgh second-most productive blueliner and has impressed offensively this season The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] will look to close out 2024 in style as they head to Detroit to take on the Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/] in a Tuesday night New Year's Eve matchup. And they'll be getting back a key part of their defensive core. Defenseman Marcus Pettersson - who has been out since Dec. 14 with a lower-body injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-top-defenseman-out-week-to-week] - was activated from injured reserve on Tuesday. In addition, defenseman Kris Letang was placed on IR with a lower-body injury. While the Penguins will be losing one of their top defensemen, they will also be getting one back - and a key one, at that, for the defensive side of their game. Pettersson said he picked up on a lot of things from the press box that he wouldn't necessarily otherwise see while in action. "You learn a lot from being out," Pettersson said. "You see the game from a different perspective." Rookie defensemen Owen Pickering - who has missed the last five games with a concussion [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-v-flyers-preview-pickering-heads-to-ir-jarry-starts-pre-holiday-showdown] - was also a full participant in practice but will not be in the lineup against the Red Wings. Pettersson will be a "gametime decision." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is how the Penguins will line up against Detroit: Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will get his second consecutive start in goal after an outstanding 31-save effort against the New York Islanders on Sunday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-survive-late-surge-from-islanders-on-historic-night-from-crosby]. Nedeljkovic also had a strong showing against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 17 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-come-back-twice-against-kings-win-overtime-thriller-3-2], and in both contests, he put up a .935 save percentage. "I just thought he competed hard," head coach Mike Sullivan said about Nedeljkovic's performance on Sunday. "He plays the puck extremely well, he made some timely saves for us... I thought he was solid." The Penguins have split the season series with the Red Wings up to this point, as they took the first matchup, 6-3, and dropped the second one, 3-2. Detroit is 4-6 in their last 10 games and is coming off a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals. Pittsburgh is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games against Detroit and have outscored the Red Wings, 54-37 during that span. Lucas Raymond leads the Red Wings in goals (15) and points this season (36). Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNjYwNDIwMDI3OTUwOTI5/thnpitbanner.png]
