Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be making some roster changes ahead of Friday’s game against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Forward Kevin Hayes – who hasn’t played since Dec. 10 in Pittsburgh’s 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche – was making runs down the line at center on the third line during Pittsburgh’s morning skate. Friday. He’s been healthy since that game in Colorado.
“It’s never fun not being in the lineup,” Hayes said. “The team was playing well. I think I need to play better, but when a team is doing well, it’s always difficult to come back. So I hope to make the most of this opportunity tonight.”
Given the line combinations, it appears Hayes will take Anthony Beauvillier’s place in the lineup against Florida:
Morning Skateboarding in Fort Lauderdale 🏝️🐧
Rakell – Crosby – Rust
Garland – Malkin – Glass
O’Connor – Hayes – Tomasino
Nieto – Lizotte – AcciariGrzelcyk-Karlsson
Pettersson-Joseph
Graves – Pickering pic.twitter.com/u69gN4BHwt– Hailey Hunter (@TheHaileyHunter) January 3, 2025
In addition to Hayes’ return, it also appears that Rookie defenseman Owen Pickering could be back in the lineup after missing the last four games with a concussion. He practiced his offside on the third pair alongside Ryan Graves.
Although he never played on the right side in the NHL, Pickering said his junior experience playing offside made him comfortable doing so.
“I played on the right side quite a bit in juniors and then I played a few games at Wilkes on the right side,” Pickering said. “So if that’s where I fit in, I feel comfortable there.”
Mike Sullivan Morning Skating Updates:
– Tristan Jarry will start in goal tonight against Florida.
– Owen Pickering will be a match-time decision.
– Kris Letang (lower body, two missed games) skated again this morning.– Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) January 3, 2025
Goaltender Tristan Jarry will get his first start in three games with the Penguins. After playing very well for most of December, Jarry has posted a save percentage below .900 in three of his last four starts. In his career against the Florida Panthers, Jarry is 4-4 with a .901 save percentage and a 3.29 goals-against average.
Florida is second in the Atlantic Division and fifth overall in the Eastern Conference with a 23-14-2 record. They’re tied 5-5 in their last 10 games, and they enter the second half of a back-to-back after a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Over the last 10 games, Pittsburgh is 4-6 against Florida. Five of ten games went to overtime, and three of the Penguins’ four victories were decided in overtime. including their most recent victory on December 3, which was a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory on a Bryan Rust tally.
Friday will mark their second of three matchups against the Panthers this season.
