Penguins Gear Up for Playoff Clinching Game Against Devils

The Pittsburgh Penguins are poised for a pivotal moment as they prepare for Thursday’s showdown against the New Jersey Devils. This matchup marks the Penguins’ first opportunity to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which are slated to begin on April 18. With a win of any kind, the Penguins can clinch their playoff berth for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

All healthy players participated in Wednesday’s final practice, including forward Anthony Mantha, who had missed Tuesday’s optional session due to illness, and goaltender Stuart Skinner, who appeared sharp after sustaining a near-eye injury during Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers. Skinner had previously sat out the latter half of a back-to-back against Florida, but he looked ready to contribute.

Additionally, Sergei Murashov joined the team on the ice after being recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Tuesday. While he got some work in, most of the practice reps were taken by Skinner and Arturs Silovs. Head coach Dan Muse confirmed that all three goaltenders will make the trip to Newark for the critical game.

The Penguins’ practice lines showcased a blend of experience and energy. The forward lines included Chinakhov-Crosby-Rust, Novak-Rakell-Malkin, Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau, and Soderblom-Dewar-Acciari. On the defensive side, the pairs featured Wotherspoon-Karlsson, Girard-Letang, and Shea-Clifton.

Ryan Shea, who is enjoying a standout season, expressed his excitement about the chance to clinch a playoff spot. “I think we’ve had jump in every game since the East playoffs standings have been so tight. You have to have jump at this time of year,” Shea remarked. He acknowledged the significance of the moment, especially as the team approaches what he considers the best playoffs in sports. “We’re not playing with, I guess you can call it, stupid motivation. We’re playing with confidence, and we’re playing in our structure. I think everything will take care of itself,” he added.

Forward Avery Hayes, who has been fluctuating between the Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, also shared his enthusiasm. “Yeah, it’s amazing. That’s the goal, right? You want to play playoff hockey. To be that close and kinda taste it, it’s a great feeling,” Hayes said.

While the Devils were eliminated from playoff contention following a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, they remain a formidable opponent. Star players Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have been in top form lately and can significantly influence the game. Historically, the Penguins have faced challenges in Newark, adding another layer of intensity to this matchup.

A victory on Thursday, combined with a regulation loss by the Flyers, would secure home ice advantage in the first round for the Penguins, effectively locking them into second place in the Metropolitan Division. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.