The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Boston Bruins on Thursday evening, with the visiting side entering the matchup following a 3-2 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST as the two teams meet for the first time this season.
Team Records and Statistics
Boston brings an 11-4-1 overall record into the contest, including a 4-3-1 mark in away games. The Bruins have committed 75 total penalties, averaging 4.7 penalties per game, which ranks fifth highest in the NHL. Over their past 10 games, Boston has posted a 7-2-1 record, averaging 3.7 goals and 5.9 assists while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Pittsburgh holds a 5-8-2 record overall but has been more effective on home ice, where they stand at 4-1-1. The Penguins have recorded a 2-3-1 mark in one-goal decisions this season. In their last 10 games, Pittsburgh has gone 3-6-1 while averaging 2.8 goals per game and conceding 3.4 goals per contest.
Top Performers and Injury Report
David Pastrnak has led the offense for Boston with eight goals and 12 assists, while James Hagens has registered four goals and four assists over his past 10 appearances. For Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin has tallied six goals and five assists, and Rickard Rakell has added five goals and two assists over his last 10 games.
Both rosters feature several player injuries ahead of the game. Pittsburgh has ruled out Bryan Rust, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Ryan Graves with lower-body injuries, alongside Elmer Soderblom with an upper-body injury, while Malkin is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body issue. Boston lists Matthew Poitras as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
