Pittsburgh Penguins News

The Penguins will likely turn to Blomqvist between the pipes for a second consecutive game after an impressive victory in his previous outing. Blomqvist was stellar on Friday, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has been the most consistent netminder for the Penguins this season, posting a 3.25 GAA and .913 SV% in seven games (3-4-0). The Penguins enter the action on Monday as +141 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).

After Alex Nedeljkovic was peppered for five goals on 18 shots (.722 SV%) in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins will switch to Blomqvist between the pipes. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has not played since October 29th but has been serviceable when called upon, posting a 3.46 GAA and .909 SV% in six outings (2-4-0). The Penguins, welcoming Bryan Rust (lower body) back into the lineup, enter the action on Friday as +167 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but will return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell thrived during Rust's absence, which could pose an obstacle for Rust returning to that top-line deployment.

Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but could return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Dewar has not played for the Maple Leafs yet this season but had two points (1G / 1A) in a one-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). With Auston Matthews (undisclosed) being placed on IR, the Maple Leafs have been able to activate and recall Dewar.

Novak was a late scratch for Wednesday's game after seemingly suffering an injury in warmups and is considered day-to-day. Luke Evangelista will retain his spot in the lineup in place of Novak.

Novak was a late scratch for Wednesday's game after seemingly suffering an injury in warmups and is considered day-to-day. Luke Evangelista will likely retain his spot in the lineup in place of Novak.

Novak participated fully in warmups and his absence was not announced until just minutes before puck drop. We should expect to receive an update following the completion of Wednesday's game, but it seems likely Novak suffered some sort of injury in warmups.

Rust has missed four straight due to a lower-body injury but is nearing a return ahead of Pittsburgh's upcoming two-game road trip. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.

Dewar is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Dewar will be in the mix to play on the Maple Leafs' fourth line moving forward. Dewar had five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games after being traded to Toronto last season.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Robertson will enter the lineup in place of Ryan Reaves, who is a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Robertson has been limited to only one point (1G / 0A) in nine games this season.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but could make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Alexeyev was the 31st overall pick of the Capitals in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and will make his season debut on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, replacing Jakob Chychrun (upper body). The 24-year-old Alexeyev had three points (1G / 2A) in 39 games with the Capitals last season.

Ponomarev was the 53rd overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old had a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has predominantly been an AHL player so far in his career.