CALGARY, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for their 49th game of the season against the Calgary Flames, aiming to solidify their position in the competitive Metropolitan Division. Having achieved a record of 23 wins, 14 losses, and 11 overtime losses, the Penguins find themselves in third place but closing in on second as they head into this critical matchup at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The game is set to commence just after 9:30 p.m. EST (7:30 p.m. MST), with Charley Kate performing both National Anthems in what will be a poignant event, as the arena is slated for closure in the near future.
In their previous outing, the Penguins demonstrated resilience against the Seattle Kraken, securing a 6-3 victory. The team displayed strong offensive performance, with Connor Dewar netting two goals and matching his career high of 11 goals this season. Other contributors included Parker Wotherspoon, Brett Kulak, Justin Brazeau, and Rickard Rakell, all of whom added to the score sheet. Notably, Sidney Crosby, Anthony Mantha, and Blake Lizotte each tallied two assists, while Stuart Skinner was impressive in net, making 19 saves.
Despite the win, the Penguins remain focused on improving their standing, as they are just two points behind the New York Islanders with a game in hand. They have accrued points in three consecutive games but have only one win in that stretch (1-0-2).
However, the Penguins will face challenges on Wednesday as their defense is set to be tested without key players Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. Letang missed practice on Tuesday, while Karlsson participated only partially, which could impact the team’s defensive strategy. In a move aimed at strengthening their lineup, the Penguins have also acquired left-handed defenseman Ilya Solovyov from the Colorado Avalanche.
On the other hand, the Calgary Flames stand six points out of a playoff position as they navigate through a transitional phase, recently trading top defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite their struggles, the Flames have shown signs of life with a record of 2-0-1 in their last three games. They lost in a close overtime match against the New Jersey Devils, where goalie Devin Cooley shone despite the outcome, saving 30 of 32 shots faced.
Looking ahead to the matchup, Arturs Silovs was expected to start in goal for the Penguins, but an update indicates Stuart Skinner will be in net following his commendable performance recently. Meanwhile, Dustin Wolf will start for the Flames.
Fans can catch the game on SportsNet Pittsburgh or tune in on the radio at 105.9 The X.
As the Penguins take the ice, they will look to build on their momentum, having killed off 20 of their last 21 penalties and ranking fourth in the league in penalty killing efficiency. They also feature an impressive roster with 26 unique goal scorers this season, leading the NHL, and aim to capitalize on their strong power-play performance, currently sitting at 28.0%.
With a great deal at stake and an opportunity to climb the standings, this matchup against the Flames promises to be an exciting clash of teams battling for their playoff aspirations.