While there is a snow cyclone bearing down on the Midwest, the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-12-9) will have the Carolina Hurricanes bearing down on them. The Penguins’ tormentors visit PPG Paints Arena for a crucial test of the shaky Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m. and Mr. Jeff Jimmersom belts the National Anthem.
The Penguins have won two of three after a disastrous eight-game winless streak, though the visions of a terribly sloppy loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the final game before the holiday break still dance in their heads.
The Penguins beat the hapless Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 Sunday at the United Center. Justin Brazeau had a hat trick. Bryan Rust scored a pair, and Anthony Mantha and Noel Acciari each lit the lamp.
Arturs Silovs’ exemplary evening was spoiled by allowing a third goal with less than one second remaining in the game. He stopped 21 of 24 shots.
The Penguins also made a big splash on the NHL trade market Monday by acquiring Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the St. Louis Blues’ second-rounder in 2026 and the Washington Capitals’ third-rounder in 2027.
Despite the trade, the Penguins still have 15 picks in the top three rounds over the next three years. Penguins coach Dan Muse said Chinakhov will not be available Tuesday. He arrived at the Penguins’ practice facility on Tuesday morning, but coaches are holding him out so that he can meet with the staff and get acclimated before making his debut.
The Penguins also gave defenseman Ryan Graves a non-roster designation Monday to make room for Chinakhov on the 23-man roster. The team will waive Graves at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The Penguins are winless in their last three games against Carolina (0-2-1), but their struggles extend over years against the ever-tenacious Carolina system. Carolina is 14-5-1 in the last 20 games between the two teams.
Carolina remains one of the best regular-season teams in the Eastern Conference. They’re 7-2-1 in their last 10 and lead the Metro Division by five points.
However, goalie Pyotr Kochetkov is likely out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a nagging lower-body injury. Frederik Andersen and rookie Brandon Bussi are now the Carolina tandem.
The Penguins are three points back of the second wild-card Florida Panthers with one game in hand. The Penguins trail the first wild-card Washington Capitals by four points with two in hand.
In keeping the goalie rotation, Stuart Skinner is expected to claim the crease for the Penguins Tuesday.
Bussi has outplayed Andersen, posting a .911 save percentage in 15 appearances, while Andersen has a mere .869 stopper rate in the same 15 games.
How to Watch
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 The X
Expected Penguins Lines
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Anthony Mantha-Tommy Novak-Justin Brazeau
Rutger McGroarty-Ben Kindel-Ville Koivunen
Connor Dewar-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari
Defense
Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson
Brett Kulak-Kris Letang
Ryan Shea-Jack St. Ivany
Goalie: Stuart Skinner
Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Logan Stankoven
Nikolaj Ehlers-Jesperi Kotkaniemi-Jackson Blake
William Carrier-Jordan Staal-Jordan Martinook
Taylor Hall-Mark Jankowski-Taylor Robinson
Defense
Alexander Nikishin-Sean Walker
K’Andre Miller-Jalen Chatfield
Mike Reilly-Joel Nystrom
Goalie: Brandon Bussi, expected
Special Teams
Penguins’ power play: 29.7%, 3rd. Penguins penalty kill: 81.7%, 13th.
Hurricanes power play: 17.8%, 22nd. Hurricanes penalty kill: 80.2%, 16th.
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins are winless in their last three against Carolina, but are 2-2-2 in their last six.
Kris Letang has 11 points (1-10-11) over his last 15 games played.
Blake Lizotte has six points, including three goals in nine career games versus Carolina.
Justin Brazeau has five goals and six points (5-1-6) over his last seven games.
And Bryan Rust has feasted on home cooking. In the last five Penguins home games, Rust has four goals and eight points.
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