The Pittsburgh Penguins look to build on their recent success as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday evening. Coming off an impressive 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Penguins aim to keep their momentum rolling in what is becoming a competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. The game is set to begin just after 7 p.m., with Jeff Jimerson performing the National Anthem.
In their last outing, the Penguins snapped a three-game winless streak with a dynamic offensive display, scoring six goals after managing only two in the previous three games. Justin Brazeau showcased his skills with a power-play goal, marking his career-high total at 13 for the season. Other contributors included Bryan Rust, Egor Chinakhov, Blake Lizotte, Sidney Crosby, and Connor Dewar, with Crosby continuing his stellar performance against the Flyers by notching two points. The Penguins excelled on the power play, converting three out of four opportunities, while Stuart Skinner made 30 saves in net, maintaining a save percentage above .900 in his recent starts.
The Blue Jackets enter this matchup with renewed energy following the installation of Rick Bowness as interim head coach after the departure of Dean Evason. Columbus has achieved three consecutive victories, including a 4-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, where they demonstrated their goal-scoring prowess with contributions from Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski, and Brent Johnson. Elvis Merzlikins was formidable in goal, stopping 30 of 31 shots.
As it stands, the Penguins sit third in the Metropolitan Division and are positioned to create distance between themselves and competitors, sharing 54 points with the Washington Capitals, though the Penguins have played two fewer games. The previous encounter against Columbus saw the Penguins stage a significant comeback from a 4-1 deficit on January 4, clinching a dramatic 5-4 overtime win.
In terms of team statistics, both clubs have struggled to maintain leads, with the Penguins boasting a 15-2-4 record when ahead after two periods, compared to Columbus’s 13-1-5 record under similar circumstances.
Viewers can follow the game live on SportsNet Pittsburgh or tune into 105.9 The X on the radio.
The anticipated Penguins lineup includes Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust leading the forwards, with solid defensive pairings featuring Kris Letang. For Columbus, key players like Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko are expected to take the ice alongside a defense led by Zach Werenski.
Historically, the Penguins have fared well against Columbus, earning points in 18 of their last 19 matchups dating back to December 2019. A point in this game would extend their current home point streak against the Blue Jackets to 19 games, a record that would be unparalleled in the franchise’s history.
With the Penguins on a roll and the playoff race intensifying, Saturday’s match promises to be an exciting contest for fans and players alike.