The Pittsburgh Penguins (21-12-9) have won six in a row, most of which have been commanding victories. They have the sixth-best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference and currently hold a playoff spot as the Eastern Conference begins to separate. The red-hot Penguins face the Calgary Flames (18-22-4) in an afternoon tilt Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. <\/p>\n
The puck drops at 3:30 p.m. after Mr. Jeff Jimmerson delivers both National Anthems.<\/p>\n
The Penguins were in control for most of Thursday\u2019s 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Goalie Stuart Skinner engaged the crowd, who chanted \u201cStu!\u201d for every puck touch as he stopped 27 of 28 shots. <\/p>\n
The game was also a potential marker of change as Ben Kindel was the second-line center with Evgeni Malkin on the wing. It was Malkin\u2019s first game since Dec. 4 as he recovered from a shoulder injury, and he scored his ninth goal of the season on a second-period 5v3 power play. <\/p>\n
Erik Karlsson scored in the first period with a sharp wrist shot. Connor Dewar scored a breakaway goal, and Blake Lizotte concluded the scoring in the third period by redirecting Noel Acciari\u2019s pass into a yawning cage. <\/p>\n
Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell each had two assists. <\/p>\n
Calgary is in a bit of trouble. Their Cinderella playoff hopes are fading as the team has lost four straight games and scored just one goal in each of their last three. <\/p>\n
The Boston Bruins clobbered Calgary 4-1 on Thursday. It was the second of Calgary\u2019s five-game road trip through the East. Goalie Dustin Wolf stopped 26 of 30 shots, and Conor Zary scored the lone Calgary goal. <\/p>\n
Calgary is making more news recently as NHL trade rumors continue to swirl around defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but rumors that Nazem Kadri could be traded have also recently popped up. The team is seven points out of a playoff spot. <\/p>\n
In keeping with the Penguins\u2019 goalie rotation, Arturs Silovs will likely start for the Penguins. Wolf is the likely starter for Calgary. <\/p>\n
UPDATE: Coach Dan Muse announced that winger Bryan Rust is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The team has recalled Rafael Harvey-Pinard. Kevin Hayes will slot into the lineup. <\/p>\n
Blake Coleman is injured and will not play Saturday.<\/p>\n
How to Watch<\/p>\n
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Radio: 105.9 The X<\/p>\n
Possible Penguins Lines<\/p>\n
Tommy Novak-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell<\/p>\n
Evgeni Malkin-Ben Kindel-Egor Chinakhov<\/p>\n
Anthony Mantha-Kevin Hayes-Justin Brazeau<\/p>\n
Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari<\/p>\n
Defense<\/p>\n
Parker Wotherspoon-Erik Karlsson<\/p>\n
Brett Kulak-Kris Letang<\/p>\n
Ryan Shea-Jack St. Ivany<\/p>\n
Goalie: Arturs Silovs, Confirmed<\/p>\n
Expected Flames Lines<\/p>\n
Jonathan Huberdeau-Nazem Kadri-Joel Farabee<\/p>\n
Yegor Sharangovich-Mikael Backlund-Matt Coronato<\/p>\n
Connor Zary-Morgan Frost-Adam Klapka<\/p>\n
Ryan Lomberg-Justin Kirkland-William Stromgren<\/p>\n
Defense<\/p>\n
Kevin Bahl \u2013 Rasmus Andersson<\/p>\n
Yan Kuznetsov \u2013 MacKenzie Weegar<\/p>\n
Joel Hanley \u2013 Hunter Brzustewicz<\/p>\n
Goalie: Devin Cooley, Confirmed.<\/p>\n
Special Teams<\/p>\n
Penguins\u2019 power play: 29.8%, 2nd. Penguins penalty kill: 81.0%, 13th.<\/p>\n
Flames power play: 13.9%, 32nd. Flames penalty kill: 81.8%, 9th.<\/p>\n
Penguins Game Notes<\/p>\n
Calgary has won nine of the last 16 meetings, but the Penguins have won four of the last five meetings at PPG Paints Arena (4-1-0). <\/p>\n
Kris Letang has 22 points (5-17-22) in 24 career games against Calgary. <\/p>\n
Sidney Crosby (5-9-14) has an eight-game point streak, which is tied for the fourth-longest active point streak in the league. Connor McDavid is currently on a 17-game heater. <\/p>\n
Crosby is now one point shy of reaching the 50-point mark this season. It would be the sixth consecutive season he\u2019s reached that plateau and the 19th time in his career. Ron Francis and Gordie Howe share the record with 22 career 50-point seasons.<\/p>\n
Erik Karlsson is riding an active nine-game home point streak (3-11-14).<\/p>\n
Since Dec. 25, the Penguins are tied for the league lead in wins (6) and have allowed the fewest goals against (13). They\u2019re fourth with 29 goals scored. <\/p>\n
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