Dec 30, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after scoring an empty net goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-2. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ee897e1b-0122-4386-a632-dbfceae293ec.webp] Dec 30, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after scoring an empty net goal against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-2. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] will look to build on the momentum of two consecutive victories against Western Conference playoff teams when they take on the St. Louis Blues in Pittsburgh on Thursday. And they will - once again - deploy the same guy between the pipes to do it. Goaltender Tristan Jarry has allowed just three goals on his last 67 shots against, which is good for a .955 save percentage in those last two outings. His teammates believe he can keep things going in positive direction, especially after the tough season that Jarry has endured: Jarry has not been the only player carrying the torch for the Penguins in the last few games, however. Captain Sidney Crosby has four goals in the last two games, and he is just 10 points shy of clinching his 20th consecutive season at point-per-game, which would break the previous NHL record set by Wayne Gretzky. Although goaltending and the Crosby effect has carried the Penguins through most of these last two wins, other parts of the lineup are beginning to find some traction. The second line combo of Evgeni Malkin and Philip Tomasino - with the addition of Danton Heinen for this game - has been generating chances. And another player who will get a second chance in an elevated role is Blake Lizotte, who registered five goals and nine points in nine games earlier this season during a brief stint as the team's third-line center. He will slot in there again tonight alongside newcomer Connor Dewar and Noel Acciari. Here is the rest of the Penguins' lineup: Although they are still two points removed from the second wild card spot in the West, the Blues have been one of the league's hottest teams. They are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and have outscored the opposition, 39-25. St. Louis is a balanced team up and down the lineup, and their leading scorer, Robert Thomas, has 17 goals and 51 points in 53 games. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
