PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It will be Tristan Jarry again in net for the Pens hosting Minnesota as they are currently a point out of the playoffs with four games left. There is also the chance of getting an injured defenseman back.
Jan Rutta has been out since March 16 will be a game-time decision.
“I think he would be a big boost for us,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “He helps us on the penalty kill. He makes us harder to play against. He makes us better at our net-front. He’s just a real solid defender. If Ruuta ends up in our lineup tonight, it makes us a better team.”
Jarry has given up nine goals on 72 shots his last two games against Boston and New Jersey. He’s given up four goals or more in seven of his last 12 starts.
Facing flower
Of Marc-Andre Fleury’s 375 career wins, four have come against the Pens. Obviously known for the Stanley Cups he won with them, now his old team is in desperate need of a win and Marc-Andre Fleury stands in their way.
“I think he’s going to be himself,” said defenseman and long-time teammate Kris Letang. “That’s why he’s so good, he stays cool in the net and he’s having fun. That brings him success. He’s a great goaltender, probably in the top five all-time.”
He’s been stellar his last two outings, 74 saves on 78 shots. For the season, a 2.82 goals-against average (top 15 among starting goalies) and a .910 save percentage (top 15 among starting goalies). This season 12 times he’s allowed four goals or more, 12 times he’s allowed one goal or less including a pair of shutouts.
“It’s kinda funny, I had my first goal against him, first NHL goal,” said Pens forward Drew O’Connor. “He did a ton for this franchise. He’s a legend here. Anytime you go up against a goalie like that it’s a challenge for sure.
I’m sure he’ll be excited for it. Just focus on our game.”
“I hear all the history of him being here,” said Pens defenseman PO Joseph.
“The guys are talking about him most of the time. He’s been a great influence in hockey in general. Being from Montreal, definitely someone I watched growing up. It’s always special to play against big players like that. I’m excited about tonight.”
“He was a great teammate with these guys, they built great friendships,” Sullivan said. “Those things will never change, I think that’s one of the great things about our game. When the pucks drops at 7 o’clock, these guys are fierce competitors. They want to win and they want to win for their respective teams.”
Mood in the room
Coming off a game where they admittedly didn’t have the right urgency, O’Connor said they know the situation. They know what is one the line, as he put it their ‘lives are on the line’.
“If we play to our identity we can play with anyone in this league,” O’Connor said. “We have four games left, we have no choice but to be optimistic about it. Do the best we can with the games remaining.”
“I think we will have it for sure,” Sullivan said of the urgency. “The most important thing is that we bring the energy we need to be at our best. For whatever reason, we didn’t have it the last game against Jersey, but I know these guys are excited to get back at it tonight. We know what is at stake.”
“Hockey is never over until it’s over,” Joseph said. “There are still games left for us to create something good. We have it in this team. We have to have it in our mentality and mindset. Knowing the experience in this room, I think guys are going to show up for the last stretch of the season.”
“You can see the mood in the room, everyone is focused,” Letang said. “They know how big this game is.”
Also tonight the Senators at Florida, Buffalo at Detroit and the Islanders host the Lightning
Injured skaters
Marcus Pettersson, Dmitri Kulikov and Nick Bonino skated Thursday morning but remain out with injury.