Friday, November 15, 2024 – 7:00 PM EST
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Pittsburgh Penguins (6-9-3, 15 points, 6th Metro, 14th East)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (5-8-2, 12 points, 8th Metro, 15th East)
In one corner, the host Columbus Blue Jackets who have lost 6 in a row. In the other, the challenger Pittsburgh Penguins who have lost 4 of their last 5. Who shall prevail in this Metro Division edition of the Toilet Bowl?
Jackets Notes
In a rare bit of positive news for the Blue Jackets, forward Kent Johnson participated in practice on Thursday, alternating with Mikael Pyyhtia on the third line during line rushes. He won’t dress tonight, but his return seems to be close … Speaking of injured players, Gavin Brindley was activated off of injured reserve and assigned to the Cleveland Monsters.
The Other Bench
On Tuesday, the Penguins traded veteran forward Lars Eller to the Capitals … This trade comes as the Penguins are fourth from last place in the East a month into the season, with a -22 goal differential … In light of the Penguins’ struggles despite investing so much in aging core, may I offer this response:
Season Series
11/15/2024 PIT @ CBJ
01/07/2025 CBJ @ PIT
03/21/2025 CBJ @ PIT
Stats
| Pittsburgh | Columbus | |
| 2.72 (22) | GPG | 3.07 (16) |
| 3.83 (31) | GAPG | 3.60 (29) |
| 18.4 (18) | PP% | 18.4 (18) |
| 82.4 (11) | PK% | 81.4 (14) |
| 52.0 (10) | 5v5 Shot Attempt % | 51.7 (11) |
| 51.1 (13) | 5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt % | 51.8 (8) |
| 7.3 (25) | 5v5 Shooting % | 9.9 (9) |
| 89.0 (28) | 5v5 Save % | 88.6 (30) |
| S. Crosby, R. Rakell, 6 | G Leader | S. Monahan, K. Marchenko, 6 |
| Evgeni Malkin, 13 | A Leader | Kirill Marchenko, 9 |
| Evgeni Malkin, 18 | P Leader | Kirill Marchenko, 15 |
| Marcus Pettersson, 15 | PIM Leader | Mathieu Olivier, 21 |
| 3-5-2 | Home/Road | 4-3-0 |
| 3-5-2 | Last 10 | 3-5-2 |
Projected Lineups
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Dmitri Voronkov | Sean Monahan | Kirill Marchenko |
| Yegor Chinakhov | Adam Fantilli | Cole Sillinger |
| Mikael Pyyhtia | Justin Danforth | Mathieu Olivier |
| Zach Aston-Reese | Sean Kuraly | Kevin Labanc |
| Zach Werenski | Dante Fabbro |
| Ivan Provorov | Damon Severson |
| Jake Christiansen | Jordan Harris |
| Elvis Merzlikins |
| Daniil Tarasov |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Anthony Beauvillier | Sidney Crosby | Rickard Rakell |
| Michael Bunting | Evgeni Malkin | Bryan Rust |
| Drew O’Connor | Blake Lizotte | Samuel Poulin |
| Jesse Puljujarvi | Noel Acciari | Valtteri Puustinen |
| Matt Grzelcyk | Kris Letang |
| Marcus Pettersson | Erik Karlsson |
| Ryan Greaves | Ryan Shea |
| Alex Nedeljkovic |
| Tristan Jarry |