Pittsburgh Penguins News

Despite being on the losing end of a 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders in their previous outing, the Penguins will roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a fourth straight game. The 28-year-old Nedeljkovic has shown flashes of strong play, despite porous defensive coverage by his teammates at times, salvaging a 2.76 GAA and .900 SV% in six contests (2-2-2). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as sizeable +229 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes squad riding a seven-game winning streak.

Rust has missed four straight due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return ahead of Pittsburgh's upcoming two-game road trip. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Hayes is battling an upper-body injury and his status for Thursday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight.

The Penguins, winners of two straight, will roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a third consecutive game on Tuesday when they visit the New York Islanders. Despite an unspectacular 2.75 GAA and .903 SV% through five games (2-2-1), Nedeljkovic has been tremendous in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving a combined 47 of 49 shots (.959 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Tuesday as +112 road underdogs against an Islanders club with only 28 goals through 12 games this season, the second-fewest in the NHL.

Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.

Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but could make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Ponomarev was the 53rd overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old had a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has predominantly been an AHL player so far in his career.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Rust's absence from the lineup is a major blow for a Penguins club that is riding a five-game losing skid. Rickard Rakell will likely be the beneficiary, moving up to the top line and top powerplay unit.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday until the Penguins provide an official update.

Nieto underwent knee surgery in May after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and is nearly six months into his original six to seven month recovery timeline. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the team.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday until the Penguins provide an update.