THE Pittsburgh Penguins will play their first game at PPG Paints Arena since January 17 on Thursday night.
The Penguins will look to make it five straight wins when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. This will be the second of two meetings between the two teams this year, following the Penguins’ 7-3 victory in Chicago on December 28.
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It was the Penguins’ first game after the Christmas break, and it put them on the right track, as they have won 11 of their last 15 games. This hot streak has landed them second place in the Metropolitan Division, but they still need to continue piling up wins if they want to make the playoffs.
They will face a Blackhawks team that has lost three straight and six of its last eight games. Connor Bédard is back after missing the last meeting between these two teams and is having a tremendous season, compiling 20 goals and 49 points in 40 games.
Frank Nazar will be on the front line with him and has six goals and 21 points in 37 games this year. Tyler Bertuzzi leads the team in goals (25) and has 39 points in 50 games. Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev have also scored double-digit goals this year.
Arvid Soderblom will start in goal for the Blackhawks. He is 5-8-2 with a 3.75 goals-against average and .874 save percentage this year.
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The Penguins have made roster changes due to Bryan Rust’s three-game suspension and Jack St. Ivany’s long-term hand injury. Here’s a look at the projected lines for Thursday’s game:
Attackers
Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
McGroarty-Kindel-Mantha
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Kulak-Letang
Soloviev-Shea
Arturs Silovs will start in goal after coming on as Stuart Skinner’s replacement on Sunday.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 “The X.”
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