It is the end of the regular season for the surprising Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-16). The underdogs have spent a week flipping the script on everyone who proclaimed they would be one of the worst teams in the NHL. The playoff-bound Penguins finish the regular season Tuesday by visiting the St. Louis Blues (35-33-12) at the Enterprise Center.
The puck drops just after 9:30 p.m.
The Penguins will use a makeshift lineup with prospects and depth players. So, the Penguins are heavy underdogs Tuesday, and the NHL odds have the Penguins at +176 to win, yet the FanDuel NHL research team shows the Penguins at a 67.7% chance to win.
The Penguins lost both games of the home-and-home over the weekend to the Washington Capitals, getting shutout Sunday, 3-0 at Capital One Arena. The Penguins generated offensive chances, but with nothing to play for, the team lacked the killer instinct to crack Washington goalie Logan Thompson.
Tuesday is notable for the NHL debut of Penguins defenseman Jake Livanavage, the college free agent from the University of North Dakota whom the team signed to a two-year entry-level contract last week.
In 39 collegiate games this season, Livanavage, 21, had 30 points, including five points. The left-handed defenseman is an elite skater who was able to carry the UND attack in the Frozen Four.
His ELC contract runs through next season.
St. Louis did not qualify for the playoffs but could figure prominently in the offseason trade rumors. Center Robert Thomas and defenseman Colton Parayko drew significant interest before the NHL trade deadline, and Parayko rejected a deal to the Buffalo Sabres.
Penguins coach Dan Muse said Stuart Skinner will start in goal. He is also expected to start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers.
How to Watch
TV: ESPN, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio: 105.9 The X
Possible Penguins Lines
From Pens Inside Scoop:
Ville Koivunen–Tommy Novak–Justin Brazeau
Elmer Soderblom–Ben Kindel–Anthony Mantha
Rutger McGroarty–Kevin Hayes–Avery Hayes
Rafael Harvey-Pinard–Joona Koppanen–Noel Acciari
Defense
Parker Wotherspoon–Sam Girard
Ryan Shea–Connor Clifton
Jake Livanavage–Jack St. Ivany
Goalie: Stuart Skinner
Special Teams
Penguins’ power play: 24.3%, 7th. Penguins’ penalty kill: 81.6%, 7th.
Blues power play: 17.5%, 27th. Blues penalty kill: 76.5%, 26th.
Penguins Game Notes
The Penguins are 8-1-1 over the last nine games against the Blues. They have points in 13 of their last 16 games vs. St. Louis (11-3-2) dating back to Feb. 4, 2017.
Defenseman Ryan Shea has points in five of his last seven games (2-4-6).
Egor Chinakhov has 22 points (8-14-22) over his last 20 games and has 36 points (18-18-36) in 43 games since joining the Penguins.
The Penguins are one of the NHL’s highest scoring teams. Their 285 goals this year rank third.
Most Goals in the NHL
Colorado 292
Carolina 289
Pittsburgh 285
Tampa Bay 284
Buffalo 280
The Penguins are on pace to be the highest scoring team in the Sidney Crosby Era (2005-Present) on a goals-per-game basis:
PITs Highest GF/GM Since 2005-06
2025-26 3.52
2020-21 3.45
2016-17 3.39
2012-13 3.38
2011-12 3.33
Categorized:Penguins Pregame Pittsburgh Penguins
