The Pittsburgh Penguins are on an impressive run as they gear up for their matchup against the Ottawa Senators on Monday evening at PPG Paints Arena. With a record of 28-14-11, the Penguins have surged into second place in the Metropolitan Division, buoyed by a spectacular 13-2-2 streak since December 27. The game, set to begin just after 7 p.m., will feature performances from Le’Aysia Williams and Chuck8301 Music during the National Anthem.
Last game, the Penguins narrowly secured a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers after almost relinquishing a dominant 5-1 lead. Anthony Mantha and Noel Acciari both netted two goals, while Rickard Rakell contributed with a goal and an assist. Despite the tense finish where goaltender Stuart Skinner faced a barrage of shots, he successfully stopped 15 out of 20 attempts.
The Penguins have been on a six-game winning streak, registering points in nine consecutive games, which marks a significant high for the season. They currently sit just two points ahead of the New York Islanders with two games in hand, and are seven points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for first place, with those games potentially closing the gap to just three points. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets linger just outside the playoff picture, trailing the Penguins by six points.
On the other hand, the Ottawa Senators, sporting a record of 26-21-7, are also experiencing a revival after a rough patch earlier in the season that was compounded by off-ice distractions and the absence of goaltender Linus Ullmark due to mental health issues. Ullmark returned to the lineup and secured a win against the New Jersey Devils. The Senators are currently riding a three-game winning streak and have a record of 6-2-2 in their last ten games, putting them in a position to chase a wild card slot, trailing the Buffalo Sabres by seven points.
Coach Dan Muse has noted the challenges posed by the Senators, highlighting their defensive discipline and the offensive threats they possess. “They’re playing really good hockey right now. They’re a team that makes things difficult,” Muse commented.
For fans looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcasted on SportsNet Pittsburgh and available on radio at 105.9 The X.
The anticipated player lineups for both teams are as follows:
**Penguins Expected Lines:**
Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Justin Brazeau
Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
Rutger McGroarty – Ben Kindel – Anthony Mantha
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
**Defense:**
Parker Wotherspoon – Erik Karlsson
Brett Kulak – Connor Clifton
Ilya Solovyov – Ryan Shea
**Goalie:** Arturs Silovs confirmed
**Senators Lines:**
Drake Batherson – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
Brady Tkachuk – Dyla Cozens – Ridly Greig
Nick Cousins – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
Stephen Halliday – Lars Eller – Fabian Zetterlund
**Defense:**
Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven – Jordan Spence
**Goalie:** Linus Ullmark expected
The Penguins excel in special teams, boasting a power play operating at 27.2% (3rd in the league) and a penalty kill at 83.8% (4th). In contrast, the Senators’ power play stands at 23.2% (9th), while their penalty kill is less robust at 73.0% (30th).
With both teams vying for critical points, fans can expect an intense battle on Monday night as the Penguins look to extend their winning streak and the Senators aim to solidify their resurgence in consistency and performance.