Big Lineup Changes Coming for Penguins

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are still fighting for a spot in the playoff race and will have to go through division-rival New York Islanders. It’s a challenging task going up against one of the most defensive teams in the division, but the Penguins think their adjusted roster has what it takes.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Penguins shuffled almost every part of their lineup in hopes of finding a spark.

Projected Forward Lines

Rickard Rakell – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

One of the two spots that didn’t see changes, the Penguins’ first line has been the only reason the team can compete on most nights. Sidney Crosby was the only Penguins player to find the back of the net against the Kings and is doing everything he can to carry the team.

Matthew Phillips – Evgeni Malkin – Drew O’Connor

Matthew Phillips is set to play in his second game with the Penguins and is already getting a boost on the second line. Phillips brings speed, and maybe he can help find whatever Evgeni Malkin has been missing these last few months.

Reilly Smith – Lars Eller – Valtteri Puustinen

Once again, Reilly Smith has been bumped to the Penguins’ third line. Smith has been next to useless in his first season in Pittsburgh after a reasonably solid start to the year.

Valtteri Puustinen was a healthy scratch against the Kings but will slot back in for Jesse Puljujarvi. According to head coach Mike Sullivan, Puljujarvi isn’t being removed from the lineup for health or load management reasons. Instead, Sullivan is trying to create a lineup that gives the Penguins the best chance to win.

Jansen Harkins – Jeff Carter – Colin White

The other portion of the lineup that will likely go unchanged from the Kings game is the Penguin's fourth line. While Jansen Harkins only played 5:11 against the Kings, he’s expected to still lace up for the Penguins.

Projected Defensive Pairs

P.O. Joseph – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves – Chad Ruhwedel

The right side of the Penguins’ blue line will remain, but they are all getting new partners to their left.

P.O. Joseph is getting bumped from a healthy scratch to the top unit. Marcus Pettersson isn’t getting demoted as much as he is the best option for Erik Karlsson. Ryan Graves slips back to the third pairing as his brutal season continues. These moves force John Ludvig out of the lineup against the Islanders.

Starting Goalie

Alex Nedeljkovic

There has been some confusion regarding the Penguins' goaltending situation since they faced off against the Kings. Magnus Hellberg was recalled on an emergency basis but was scratched. The following day, Sullivan stated that one of the usual netminders felt under the weather, and Hellberg was a safety net.

As the Penguins prepare for game day, Hellberg is still in Pittsburgh and took part in the morning skate with the team.

Sullivan stated that Alex Nedeljkovic will be the starting netminder for the Penguins, and Tristan Jarry will be available to backup. Everyone seems healthy, but Hellberg is still in town, just in case.