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Projected New Penguins Lines Following Trade Deadline vs Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild
The Penguins are taking on Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild later today, and Pittsburgh's updated expected lines for the game have been revealed.
The Minnesota Wild host their initial game back on home ice this evening against the Pittsburgh Penguins following their road trip.
The Wild hope to build momentum in front of their own crowd after splitting the recent two-game West Coast swing in the Pacific Northwest.
This contest is very special to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who may be making his last start against the team he won three Stanley Cups with. His legacy in Pittsburgh is never in doubt, but today, he will be focused on securing the Wild a win.
The Wild enters the game with a 36-23-4 record and fourth place in the Central Division with 76 points. Meanwhile, the ailing Penguins are 24-31-10 and are at the basement of the Metropolitan Division with 58 points.
Penguins lost their first game against the Wild this season
Minnesota leads the season series 1-0 after a 5-3 victory in Pittsburgh in October. Freddy Gaudreau and Kirill Kaprizov each had three points in that game, and Fleury stopped 26 of 29 shots to record the victory.
Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with three assists, and Rickard Rakell netted two goals. Minnesota also has some solid career-performance players against Pittsburgh.
Marcus Johansson leads the team with 24 points in 43 games, while Gustav Nyquist and Mats Zuccarello each have 23 career points against the Penguins.
Crosby has been dominant in his career against the Wild with 38 points in 25 games, while Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin have also had regular success.
The following are the Penguins projected lines following their moves at the trade deadline.
Projected Penguins Lines
Forward
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak-Evgeni Malkin-Philip Tomasino
Danton Heinen-Kevin hayes-Emil Bemström
Boko Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Defense
Ryan Shea-Kris Letang
Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson
Vladislav Kolyachonok-Ryan Graves
Goaltenders: Alex Nedeljkovic/Tristan Jarry
Possible additions: Conor Timmins/Connor Dewar
Forward
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak-Evgeni Malkin-Philip Tomasino
Danton Heinen-Kevin hayes-Emil Bemström
Boko Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
Defense
Ryan Shea-Kris Letang
Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson
Vladislav Kolyachonok-Ryan Graves
Goaltenders: Alex Nedeljkovic/Tristan Jarry
Possible additions: Conor Timmins/Connor Dewar
Tonight's contest also has a reunion feel to it, with former Wild winger Connor Dewar, who was picked up by Pittsburgh at the recent trade deadline, possibly suiting up for the first time against his former team.
Minnesota drafted Dewar in 2018 when he scored 38 points over three seasons with the Wild before ultimately leaving for Pittsburgh. It remains to be seen whether newcomer Conor Timmins will also make his debut today.
| POLL | ||
MARS 9 | 169 ANSWERS Projected New Penguins Lines Following Trade Deadline vs Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild Do you like these new Penguins lines? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 59.2 % |
| No | 69 | 40.8 % |
| List of polls | ||