Team: 2020-21 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 29, 2021

Published: Apr. 29, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Penguins took a 3-1 loss against the Boston Bruins Tuesday to snap a four-game winning streak. They’re second in the East Division and just one point back of the Capitals. Washington swept a three-game series against the New York Islanders from Thursday to Tuesday.

Pittsburgh leads the head-to-head season 4-2 but three of those victories were decided beyond regulation. Washington won 5-2 on home ice Feb. 25 in the most recent meeting.

GOALIE MATCHUP:

Jarry will get the start on his 26th birthday coming off the loss to the Bruins in which he stopped 28 of 31 shots. It snapped a personal four-game winning streak. He has played 4 games against the Caps this season and is 2-2 with a .914 save percentage and 2.77 goals against average.

Vanecek is coming off an 18-save shutout against the Islanders Tuesday and earned a second straight start over Ilya Samsonov. The rookie has returned to his early-season form after a rough patch through February and March; he is 4-3-0 this month but with a .917 SV% and 2.48 GAA.

EASIER BECAUSE OF INJURIES?

Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin (lower body) is questionable to play tonight after missing the last two games, but Washington was victorious without him. Penguins C Evgeni Malkin (lower body) remains on injured reserve.

Pittsburgh has a slight edge in both total shot attempts and scoring chances in full-strength play since April 1, and will keep this close, if unable to win outright.

The potential absence of two future Hall of Famers in Malkin and Ovechkin makes life easier for any goaltender. The Penguins were also held to just a single goal in each of their two most recent games against the B’s.

MY PREDICTION:

Caps- 3
Pens- 4

OT win for any team. Its gonna be a close one so either WSH or PIT could take home the victory. I think its gonna head ri overtime. Pens have done good in OT so I think they take home the W. But again its gonna be close so WSH could easily take the W.

Lines below:
Sully said the lines are not final. He could switch out Sceviour for someone else. I'm hoping Zahorna because we need toughness against Tom "the murderer" Wilson.