Red Wings at Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins ended the 2017 calendar year with a 4-1 loss in Detroit on New Year's Eve. The Penguins get a chance to avenge that defeat and end a string to three straight losses to the Red Wings when they host Detroit on Saturday afternoon in the first game for both teams since the league-mandated five-day break.
Pittsburgh has won three of four in 2018 and entered the bye by winning back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 1-2. The two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions are in an unfamiliar position, sitting just one point ahead of the New York Islanders and Philadelphia at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The Red Wings dropped a 5-2 decision to NHL-leading Tampa Bay prior to the break, snapping a four-game winning streak in which they limited their opponents to six goals. "I think we've made strides as a team," forward Gustav Nyquist said. "We're a few points out (of playoff position) right now, but if we keep playing the way we've been doing lately, I think we'll have a good chance."
TV: 1 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, FS Detroit, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (17-17-7): Goaltender Jimmy Howard was in the midst of his best stretch of the season, turning aside 145 of 151 shots during the four-game winning streak. Howard suffered a lower-body injury against Florida on Jan. 5 and sat out the loss to Tampa Bay, but he was able to practice Friday and pronounced himself good to go against Pittsburgh. "With the break it's responded and that's what we wanted it to do," Howard said.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (22-19-3): Pittsburgh's goaltending situation became muddled when the team announced Friday that Matt Murray returned home due to a family matter. “His status will be day-to-day at this point,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re going to give him as much time as he needs.” Rookie Tristan Jarry was pulled in the final game before that break after giving up five goals -- matching his total allowed from his previous five appearances.
OVERTIME
1. Penguins C Evgeni Malkin has eight goals in 11 games, including the lone tally in the 4-1 loss to Detroit.
2. The Red Wings are 26th in goals per game but have outscored the Penguins 15-6 in the last three matchups.
3. Pittsburgh recalled G Casey DeSmith from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.