Key Highlights
- The Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Dallas Stars in Game 27 of their season.
- Pittsburgh is a solid underdog according to FanDuel oddsmakers (+138).
- Erik Karlsson praised goalie Tristan Jarry for “stealing” the recent victory over Tampa Bay.
- The Penguins trail the Metro Division-leading Washington Capitals by four points but have three games in hand.
The Battle for Position: Penguins vs. Stars
As the NHL season progresses, teams across the league are vying for playoff positions with renewed intensity. The upcoming game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena (6 p.m. EST) is set to be a critical match in both team’s quests.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A Solid Underdog
The Penguins, currently 14-7-5 with Evgeni Malkin and Tristan Jarry leading the charge, will face a tough challenge against one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Despite going off as underdogs at +138 on FanDuel’s money line, the Penguins have shown resilience, winning four out of their last five games.
Dallas Stars: On a Hot Streak
The Dallas Stars are riding a six-game points streak (5-0-1) and recently defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1. Miro Heiskanen, Sam Steel, Jason Robertson, and Mikko Rantanen were among those who lit the lamp for the Stars in their latest victory.
Key Player Performances
Erik Karlsson highlighted goalie Tristan Jarry’s pivotal role in their recent win over Tampa Bay. “It must have been fun to watch. It was kind of fun to play too, even though we were on our heels for most of it,” he said. “You know, it’s easy to say now because we won the game. I think if we had lost it would have been a bit different.
But yeah, it was just a weird one. They played really good hockey. (Jarry) bailed us out and probably stole us this game.” Jarry’s 37 saves on 40 shots were crucial in that victory.
Lineups and Expectations
The Penguins are expected to have Justin Brazeau and Noel Acciari back after being sidelined for about four weeks. The Stars, dealing with the season-ending injury of Tyler Seguin due to a torn ACL, will face an uncertain lineup but are still formidable opponents.
Special Teams
The Penguins’ power play remains strong at 34.4%, while their penalty kill is efficient at 84.8%. The Stars, on the other hand, have a slightly lower power-play percentage of 31.9% and a less impressive penalty kill rate of 81.7%.
Historical Context: A Striking Record Against Dallas
The Penguins have an impressive record against the Stars, with points in nine out of their last 14 games (7-5-2) dating back to February 9, 2018. Pittsburgh’s road performance is also noteworthy; they have points in 12 of their 14 road games this season and have scored four or more goals in each of their last three.
Rookie Performance to Remember
Anthony Mantha leads the team with a plus-12 rating, and rookie Ben Kindel’s seven goals in his first NHL season are also a highlight. Only Sidney Crosby (39), Jordan Staal (29), and Jaromir Jagr (27) have scored more goals in their rookie years among 18-year-olds in Penguins history.
How to Watch
The game can be watched on SportsNet Pittsburgh or NHL Network. Radio coverage is available on 105.9 The X, and coach Dan Muse will announce starting lineups and injury updates at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Dallas Stars vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – A must-watch game for hockey enthusiasts, with both teams bringing their best to secure a place in the playoffs.