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Basics
Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (37-25-4) vs. Calgary Flames (32-25-9)
When: 7:00 PM ET
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
SBN Friends: Matchsticks and Gasoline
Previous Meeting: Calgary defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime on November 2nd.
Opponent focus
Calgary is currently sitting in a tough spot, four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference but they need to jump two other teams if they want to get there as well. With 16 games remaining, every point the Flames can accumulate will be valuable.
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Calgary is one of the few teams in the NHL with a better road record than home. Sitting at 18-10-5 on the road, the Flames are one of the better road teams in the league.
In their last ten games, the Flames are 3-6-1 and enter Pittsburgh on a three game losing streak.
Expected Lines
Another crack at #Flames lineup in Pittsburgh …
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) March 5, 2018
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway
Brouwer-Stajan-Lazar
Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
Gillies (starter)
Rittich
Calgary boasts a very strong top two lines but it falls off after that. Johnny Gaudreau will be the one to keep an eye on, posting 73 points in 66 games played, good for 9th in the Art Ross race.
Regular goaltender Mike Smith is nursing an injury and Jon Gillies is expected to get the start in net.
Penguins Notes
After a barn burner against the Islanders on Saturday night to get back in the win column, the Penguins will try and make it back-to-back wins against the Flames. Calgary won the first meeting between the two sides earlier this year by a score of 2-1 in overtime.
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Coming into tonight, the Pens still sit in a comfortable playoff position but there is still work to be done and every point helps. Hopefully the players are not looking too far ahead to Wednesday night’s showdown with the Flyers.
Penguins lineup the same:
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 5, 2018
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Rust
Simon-Brassard-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Sheahan-Sheary
Dumoulin-Letang
Oleksiak-Schultz
Maatta-Ruhwedel
Pretty much as you expect regarding the Penguins lineup for tonight. Looks like Chad Ruhwedel will get another game tonight after a strong showing on Saturday.
As for the starter in goal...
Jarry the first goalie off. Bit of a curveball.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 5, 2018
It was initially reported that Casey DeSmith was putting in work with the top power play unit but Tristan Jarry was the first goalie off the ice during the morning skate, signaling he will be getting the start in goal.