Unexpected Lineup Shifts Set to Shake Up Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Showdown—Find Out Who’s In and Where to Catch the Action!

After a long stretch away, the Pittsburgh Penguins are finally back on home ice at PPG Paints Arena this Thursday night – a return fans have been craving since January 17. Riding a sizzling wave with four straight victories, the team’s momentum couldn’t be better timed as they host the Chicago Blackhawks, aiming to notch their fifth consecutive win. These two squads lock horns for the second and final time this season—the last encounter saw the Penguins storm to a 7-3 triumph in Chicago just before the new year. As the Penguins look to reinforce their hold on second place in the Metropolitan Division, the task ahead won’t be a walk in the park. The Blackhawks, though struggling with a recent slump, bring firepower of their own, energized by the return of star rookie Connor Bedard, who’s lighting it up with 20 goals and 49 points in 40 games. Adjustments have been made to Pittsburgh’s lineup due to some key absences, injecting fresh dynamics into the ice. With goaltender Arturs Silovs stepping up for this crucial clash, anticipation is sky-high. Tune in at 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh or catch the action live on 105.9 ‘The X’—this one’s not to be missed. LEARN MORE

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play their first game at PPG Paints Arena since Jan. 17 on Thursday night.

The Penguins will try to make it five wins in a row when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. This will be the second of two meetings between the two teams this year, following the Penguins’ 7-3 win in Chicago on Dec. 28.

Advertisement

It was the Penguins’ first game after the Christmas break, and it put them on the right track, as they’ve won 11 of their last 15 games. This hot streak has landed them in second place in the Metropolitan Division, but they still have to keep stacking wins if they want to make the playoffs.

They’ll play a Blackhawks team that has lost three in a row and six of its last eight games. Connor Bedard is back after missing the last matchup between these two teams and is having a tremendous season, compiling 20 goals and 49 points in 40 games.

Frank Nazar will be on the top line with him and has six goals and 21 points in 37 games this year. Tyler Bertuzzi leads the team with goals (25) and has 39 points in 50 games. Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato, and Ilya Mikheyev have also scored double-digit goals this year.

Arvid Soderblom will start in goal for the Blackhawks. He has a 5-8-2 record with a 3.75 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage this year.

Advertisement

The Penguins have tweaked their lineup due to Bryan Rust’s three-game suspension and Jack St. Ivany’s long-term hand injury. Here’s a look at the projected lines for Thursday’s game:

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

McGroarty-Kindel-Mantha

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Kulak-Letang

Solovyov-Shea

Arturs Silovs will start in goal after he was Stuart Skinner’s backup on Sunday.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 ‘The X.’

Bookmark THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!