The chase is coming to its conclusion. The Pittsburgh Penguins (38-22-16) are chasing their first playoff spot since 2022, and their magic number is now just eight points. However, they have a weekend war awaiting them as they host the Florida Panthers (37-35-3) for a two game set at PPG Paints Arena.
The puck drops Saturday just after 5 p.m. and Mr. Jeff Jimerson performs the national anthem.
The Penguins are solid favorites today according to the FanDuel odds, going off at -215 on the Moneyline. Florida’s season has been derailed by injuries, and more injuries. The complete injury list is staggering.
The Penguins’ momentum and good feelings were crushed by the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday in a 6-3 loss. Tampa Bay carved the Penguins with three goals in the second period and limited the Penguins to less than a handful of shots in the third.
Egor Chinakhov had a pair of goals, but most of the team was mired a step behind and goalie Stuart Skinner was tagged for five goals on 32 shots faced.
“I just think that they outworked us and outsmarted us right from the start. I mean, we were up 2-1 in the first, but they were the better team,” said Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson. “And then obviously the second, I don’t know if we even played the game, or if they were just really, really that much better than us. And then obviously in the third, we had a little bit of a push, but not enough to sustain anything to come back. It’s one of those nights where we just didn’t come ready to play.”
However, the Penguins’ pursuers failed to gain ground with a slew of losses. In fact, the Penguins’ magic number decreased from 11 on Thursday to eight following the games Friday night.
In nine NHL games, Brunicke scored his first NHL goal, but did not tally an assist. In five games with WBS, he had four assists. And in 24 games with Kamloops, Brunicke had 24 points (2-22-24).
The Penguins selected Brunicke with the 44th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. It was the pick they acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida squad is embracing its role as spoilers. After injuries to Sasha Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, and several others, sidetracked their season, Florida has beaten the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in succession.
Florida doesn’t need wins; they want them for their own satisfaction.
Regarding the Penguins’ goaltending rotation, since both goalies will play against the same team this weekend, expect Arturs Silovs to get the first go. Skinner did not have his best Thursday, and an extra day might be advantageous for the netminder who is quietly becoming the Penguins’ No. 1.
Expect Sergei Bobrvosky in net for Florida Saturday, and former Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Danil Tarasov in net Sunday.
However, we’re also watching if Muse shuffles his lines again after the very unsuccessful effort in Tampa Bay. Without a morning skate, we’re going to leave the lineup as it was, but we expect changes.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 The X
Possible Penguins Lines
Egor Chinakhov-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha-Rickard Rakell-Justin Brazeau
Tommy Novak–Ben Kindel-Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom-Connor Dewar-Noel Acciari
Defense
Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard-Kris Letang
Ryan Shea-Connor Clifton
Goalie: Arturs Silovs, expected
Panthers Lines
Carter Verhaeghe-Sam Bennett -Matthew Tkachuk
Mackie Samoskevich-Eetu Luostarinen-A.J. Greer
Noah Gregor-Tomas Nosek-Jesper Boqvist
Nolan Foote-Luke Kunin-Vinnie Hinostroza
Defense
Gustav Forsling-Michael Benning
Donovan Sebrango-Seth Jones
Tobias Bjornfot-Mikulas Hovorka
Goalie: Sergei Bobrovsky
Special Teams
Penguins’ power play: 24.0% 8th. Penguins penalty kill: 81.4%, 7th.
Lightning power play: 22.1%, 14th. Panthers penalty kill: 82.1%, 3rd.
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins have had success against Florida, going 17-7-7 in the last 24 meetings, dating back to 2014. The Penguins are also 11-3-1 in their last 15 home games against Florida.
Bryan Rust is on a six-game point streak (4-5-9) against the Panthers, which is tied for the longest active point streak in the league versus them.
The Penguins have the most 30-point scorers (12) and 20-point scorers (15) in the league this season.
Egor Chinakhov has 16 points (7-9-16) over his last 15 games and has 30 points (17-13-30) in 38 games since joining the Penguins. Since his debut on Jan. 1, no Penguins player has scored more goals.
Sidney Crosby is one point shy of tying Steve Yzerman for the seventh-most points in NHL history and second-most points with one franchise all-time.
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