Red Wings at Penguins: Notes, Lines, Goalies, How to Watch

The Red Wings hit the road tonight, beginning a four-game swing that starts in Pittsburgh and then takes them to California for three games in the next week.

They play a Penguins team that has struggled this season. It’s been a season of highs and lows for the Pens, a low seen on Monday when they gave up six goals on the first period of a loss to Dallas.

The Wings have had their highs and lows this season, including opening night at home against Pittsburgh, when Ville Husso was lit up for four goals in just over one period. Husso will be on the bench tonight, backing up Cam Talbot. Alex Lyon is close to returning, and coach Derek Lalonde says a decision on Lyon’s status will be made after tonight’s game.

Meanwhile, the Wings will be looking for a spark on offense. They are next to last in the NHL in goals, with 34, a pace that isn’t sustainable for a team and fan base that is impatiently waiting for a return to the playoffs.

The Penguins will honor Evgeny Malkin in a pregame ceremony. Malkin became the 48th player to reach 500 career goals in a game against Buffalo last month. Sidney Crosby is two away from 600, a milestone he’ll likely reach well before the final meeting of the teams this season on New Year’s Eve in Detroit.

The Matchup

Who: Detroit at Pittsburgh

Where: PPG Paints Arena

When: 7:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: TNT/97.1 FM

Detroit Lines