The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing tougher odds in their playoff pursuit as forward Bryan Rust has been sidelined on a week-to-week basis. With Jake Guentzel already out due to an upper-body injury, scoring goals has become a challenge for the Penguins.
As they gear up to face the Vancouver Canucks, the Penguins will once again have to adjust their lineup.
Projected Forward Lines:
– Reilly Smith – Sidney Crosby – Rickard Rakell: Missing two key players from their top line, the Penguins will rely on Rickard Rakell to complement Sidney Crosby, while Reilly Smith steps into a new role.
– Drew O’Connor – Evgeni Malkin – Valtteri Puustinen: Despite Evgeni Malkin’s scoring drought, his linemates Valtteri Puustinen and Drew O’Connor have been performing well.
– Emil Bemstrom – Lars Eller – Jesse Puljujarvi: With Reilly Smith moved up, Jesse Puljujarvi returns to the lineup alongside Lars Eller and newcomer Emil Bemstrom, who made an impact with a goal in his debut.
– Jansen Harkins – Noel Acciari – Jeff Carter: Despite lineup changes, the fourth line remains unchanged, providing solid defensive play.
Projected Defensive Pairs:
– P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
– Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
– Ryan Graves – Chad Ruhwedel
The defensive pairs remain unchanged as the Penguins stick to their current setup.
Starting Goalie:
– Tristan Jarry
Head coach Mike Sullivan has confirmed Tristan Jarry will start in goal for the Penguins, signaling the end of the goalie controversy in Pittsburgh.
