October 25, 2024; CAN, Edmonton, Alberta; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Raquel (67) tries to dislodge the puck from Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner (53) during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to face the host Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night in a clash between two teams missing their starting goaltenders from last season.
The slipping Penguins will conclude a four-game trip through Western Canada against Vancouver as they look for their fourth straight win.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, but the team’s best player is dealing with a knee injury. There is no clear date for when he will return.
All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry, who signed a five-year contract extension with the Penguins last summer, has struggled early in the season. He was sent back to Pittsburgh on Thursday to fine-tune the details of the game.
Kevin Lankinen, who signed a one-year contract with Vancouver last September, has done most of the work in the young season.
The Penguins are auditioning rookie Joel Blomqvist, who made 46 saves in Friday’s 4-0 loss to the host Edmonton Oilers. It was a valiant effort from Pittsburgh’s 22-year-old Blomqvist, who recorded his fourth straight loss overall.
“He’s handled every challenge we’ve given him so far really well,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has played really well in the games he has played. He is a very athletic goalkeeper. He moves very well from east to west. He deserves to score goals.”
Blomqvist did his best to give his team a chance to get back into the game Friday, but the Penguins were unable to resolve Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.
The Canucks continued their recent good fortune with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Danton Heinen scored twice in the first period for Vancouver. JT Miller had a goal and two assists and Conor Garland had a goal each in the win.
Lankinen stymied his former club throughout the contest, but was particularly sharp in the scoreless second period.
This will be the start of a three-game homestand for Vancouver, whose team chemistry was challenged during practice Wednesday after the two star forwards had a heated exchange.
Miller and Elias Pettersson traded low chops after a heated puck battle workout. Miller added an extra cross-check for good measure before separating.
Vancouver’s three-game winning streak is about to open the season following three consecutive poor games (0-1-2).
“We’re taking the game to bits,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “There are things we are doing better and there are things we need to work on. It is still early in the season.
“We’ve scored more goals and got some depth in the last few games.”
The Penguins are still paying the price for their recent winning mentality, which has also served as a mortgage on their future. Luckily, they’re still getting production from key veterans like Evgeni Malkin, captain Sidney Crosby, and defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Malkin is enjoying an early season resurgence, scoring 11 points in his first nine games. If he maintains this pace, he will easily surpass last season’s total of 67 points.
Crosby ranks second on the team in scoring behind Malkin with seven points in nine games.
–Field level media
