Pittsburgh Penguins Prepare for Matchup Against Los Angeles Kings
The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for their second matchup of a challenging road trip in California, facing off against the Los Angeles Kings this Thursday evening. The Penguins opened their trip with a tough game against the Anaheim Ducks, where they initially took a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, they succumbed to a narrow defeat, losing 4-3.
A critical turning point occurred late in the third period when defenseman Parker Wotherspoon received a delay of game penalty for accidentally sending the puck over the glass. Capitalizing on the ensuing power play, the Ducks’ forward Chris Kreider quickly found the back of the net, just seven seconds into the advantage, allowing Anaheim to claim the lead and secure the victory, denying the Penguins at least a point.
After a promising start to the season with two consecutive wins, the Penguins now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. They face a Kings team that, despite being traditionally solid defensively, has struggled this season, managing only one win in their first four games, culminating in a 1-2-1 record.
Team Updates and Line Compositions
Ahead of the game, the Penguins held a morning skate, during which it was evident that first-round draft pick Benjamin Kindel was absent from the line rushes. Coach Dan Muse announced that Kindel would be a healthy scratch, a decision that aligns with earlier comments Muse made regarding Kindel and fellow rookie Harrison Brunicke.
Forward Lines and Defense Pairings
The forward lines for Thursday’s game will include:
- Rakell, Crosby, Rust
- Mantha, Malkin, Brazeau
- Hallander, Novak, Tomasino
- Dewar, Lizotte, Acciari
On defense, the pairings will be:
- Wotherspoon, Karlsson
- Shea, Letang
- Jones, Brunicke
In goal, Arturs Silovs is set to start, following Tristan Jarry’s performance against the Ducks. Coach Muse has been rotating the goaltenders throughout the early season.
Game Details
The puck is scheduled to drop at 10 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh. For the latest updates on the Penguins, including news on roster changes and player profiles, make sure to check out THN – Pittsburgh Penguins in your Google News feed.
