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Dan Muse offers insight on Ben Kindel ahead of tonight's game
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
Head coach of the Penguins, Dan Muse, confirmed that Ben Kindel will play tonight vs. the Blue Jackets and gave some insight into his future plans.
The Pittsburgh Penguins (11-6-5) enter a critical period in their December schedule as they get set to meet Metro Division foes, the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-9-4), at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:08 p.m.
The Penguins are aiming to build on Wednesday's close win over the Buffalo Sabres. Pittsburgh held a 1-0 lead early, but Buffalo controlled much of the middle of the game.
Still, Bryan Rust and Kevin Hayes came through in the third period to secure a 3-2 victory.
Where the Penguins currently sit in the standings
That win pushed the Penguins to 3-4-3 in November and into the second wild card spot, a position associated with a strong chance of making the playoffs historically if there by Thanksgiving.
Columbus comes in struggling, with only two regulation wins in November and a record of 1-2-2 in their last five. Key contributors include Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko, though Marchenko remains out with an injury.
Dan Muse said Ben Kindel will be in the lineup tonight to add some depth to a Penguins team trying to keep momentum, and provided some insight.
"I think he understands why it is there that a game like last game, he comes out... Now, it's just getting yourself ready and popping right back in. We've seen that with him, he's had the ability to do that."
- Dan Muse
- Dan Muse
Tristan Broz's status also revealed by Dan Muse
Meanwhile, Tristan Broz will be a healthy scratch after making his NHL debut on Wednesday.
Tristan Jarry will get the start in goal for Pittsburgh, opposing Jet Greaves for Columbus. Jarry is 8-2-2 in his career versus the Blue Jackets with a 2.64 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
Special teams continue to impress: Pittsburgh's penalty kill has allowed just three power-play goals in its last 14 games (33-for-36, 91.7%).
The Penguins have earned points in 16 of their last 17 games against Columbus dating back to December 2019 and now sit tied with the Rangers for the second-best team save percentage in the NHL (.909), trailing only Colorado (.920).
The matchup tonight provides another opportunity for Pittsburgh to build momentum while staying competitive among the top-performing NHL teams. Goaltending and depth contributions will be the Penguins' mainstays once again in this game.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 28 | 65 ANSWERS Dan Muse offers insight on Ben Kindel ahead of tonight's game Should Ben Kindel play every game going forward? | ||
| Yes | 55 | 84.6 % |
| No | 10 | 15.4 % |
| List of polls | ||