Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (23-15-7, 53 factors, fifth place Metropolitan Division) @ New Jersey Devils (29–12-4, 62 factors, 2nd place Metropolitan Division)
When: 2:00 pm Eastern
How to Watch: AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh within the Western PA viewing market, MSG-SN within the NY/NJ space, NHL Network exterior of the native areas, Sportsnet in Canada
Opponent Track: This is the primary recreation again at residence for New Jersey following a profitable 4-0-1 western highway journey. But they did lose their final outing, 4-3 in OT in Seattle. The Devils have been robust to beat in regulation recently, they’re 6-1-2 in calendar 2023.
Pens Path Ahead: The Pens have three extra video games after this one this week earlier than hitting the lengthy All-Star break. Tuesday will probably be again in Pittsburgh to meet the Panthers, adopted by a fast journey to one other division opponent in DC on Thursday. Then the Pens are again at residence on Saturday to face San Jose.
Season Series: NJ took spherical one with a 4-2 victory in Pittsburgh on December thirtieth. This is the second matchup, the third one is again in PA on Saturday, February 18th. The fourth and last PIT/NJ recreation is late within the 12 months on April sixth again in Jersey.
Getting to know the Devils
SBN associate weblog: All About the Jersey
Thursday’s Game Lines
FORWARDS
Ondrej Palat – Nico Hischier – Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula – Jack Hughes – Dawson Mercer
Yegor Sharangovich – Jesper Boqvist – Tomas Tatar
Miles Wood – Michael McLeod – Nathan Bastian
DEFENSEMEN
Jonas Siegenthaler / Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves / Damon Severson
Nikita Okhotyuk / Brendan Smith
Goalies: Vitek Vanecek (Mackenzie Blackwood)
Scratches: Fabian Zetterlund, Alexander Holtz, Kevin Bahl
IR: John Marino, Jonathan Bernier
—Marino is nearing a return from his higher physique damage with common practices.
—Getting Palat again within the lineup after an extended damage absence actually goes to assist power and stability the group up entrance.
Stats
by way of hockeydb
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—At 56 factors, Hughes has tied his NHL season-finest (set final 12 months, in 49 video games performed). This is the primary alternative to have a full season, and he is made essentially the most of it at present on a 102-level tempo.
—Now in his sixth NHL season, Hischier has grown proper together with the group that picked him first total in 2017. He’s up to some extent per recreation, has labored up to being the group captain and might play in any state of affairs. Not as flashy as a few of his premiere friends, however is quietly changing into one of many high gamers within the recreation.
Head-to-head matchup
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—It’s arrange to be an uphill battle for the Penguins tonight. New Jersey has been an elite 5v5 group this season, and that is fueled their place within the standings to win a ton of video games.
And now for the Pens…
Potential Game Lines
Forwards
Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker – Evgeni Malkin – Rickard Rakell
Brock McGinn – Teddy Blueger – Jeff Carter
Drew O’Connor – Jonathan Gruden – Danton Heinen
Defense
Marcus Pettersson / Jeff Petry
Brian Dumoulin / Mark Friedman
PO Joseph / Chad Ruhwedel
Goalies: Tristan Jarry (Casey DeSmith)
Scratches: Ty Smith, Kasperi Kapanen (decrease physique damage, week-to-week)
IR: Jan Rutta, Josh Archibald, Ryan Poehling, Kris Letang
— Letang practiced yesterday, however is just not making the journey to NJ. He was in a “contact jersey” but in addition simply to ensure for the ability play that he would match everybody else, so Letang may not be tremendous shut to coming again. But hey, it is getting nearer every single day in that perspective.
—Up entrance, Archibald and Poehling additionally took steps ahead within the common apply jersey however neither took line rushes. Given the state of the fourth line, it might be a lift to get them again too. Archibald’s not with the group at present, and Poehling continues to be on IR so we’ll see if strikes occur however it would not appear imminent.