After taking a break since Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. The Penguins recently secured a 4-0 victory over the Nashville Predators in the NHL Global Series, while the Wild edged out the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.
Following a slow start, the Wild have hit their stride, winning three straight games and seven out of their last nine. This surge has boosted them in the standings, tying them with the Chicago Blackhawks for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, the Blackhawks currently hold the tiebreaker due to having a game in hand.
Kirill Kaprizov has been a standout for the Wild, netting 11 goals and accumulating 24 points in 21 games. Matt Boldy has also impressed this season, contributing 11 goals and 22 points in the same number of games. In goal, Filip Gustafsson will start despite Jesper Wallstedt’s excellent performance as a backup, having started only seven games but boasting a save percentage of .926 and a goals-against average of 2.20.
For the Penguins, Arturs Silovs is expected to guard the net after leading the morning skate. He was key to the Penguins’ performance in his last outing, securing a point against the Predators. Silovs has been among the league’s top goaltenders, currently ranking 10th with an impressive 8.4 goals saved above expectation.
Based on Thursday’s practice, the Penguins’ forward lines are: Dewar, Crosby, Last; Hayes, Malkin, Mantha; Novak, Kindl, Poulan; Koppanen, Risotto, Heinen. Their defensive pairs include Wotherspoon and Carlson, Shea and Letang, and Graves and Clifton.
Friday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and NHL Network, with live radio coverage available on 105.9 “The X.” For ongoing updates on the Penguins’ roster, player insights, and news, fans can bookmark THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on their Google News tab.
Fan Take: This matchup is crucial as it pits two teams fighting hard for playoff positioning, showcasing some of the NHL’s most promising talent. For hockey fans, it’s an exciting chance to see high-stakes competition that could shape the playoff landscape and future stars.
