Penguins Host Devils in Crucial Matchup for Playoff Hopes

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New Jersey Devils Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM at PPG Paints Arena, marking the third of four matchups between the two teams this season. The Penguins enter the game on a three-game winning streak, fighting for a late-season playoff push.

The Penguins, currently holding a record of 27-31-10, need a solid performance against the third-place Devils, who are 36-25-6 and comfortably positioned within a playoff spot. The Devils sit eight points ahead of Columbus and 14 points ahead of Pittsburgh.

The puck drops at 3:00 PM, but fans can tune in early for the “Penguins on 4 Pregame” show starting at 2:00 PM on Pittsburgh’s Action Sports. The pregame show will feature hosts Andrew Stockey, Ashley Liotus, and Ryan Recker, along with team forward Rickard Rakell, head coach Mike Sullivan, team reporter Michelle Crechiolo, and sports columnist Tim Benz.

As part of their St. Patrick’s Day celebration, fans are encouraged to wear black, gold, and green. The arena will be buzzing with special offerings including corned beef nachos and themed souvenir cups available at the PensGear store.

Despite some tough challenges this season, the Penguins have seen notable performances from their star players. Captain Sidney Crosby leads the team with 23 goals and 49 assists, while Rakell has reached the 30-goal mark for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Crosby’s recent scoring streak positions him among the league leaders as he recorded multiple points in three consecutive games.

The Devils will also vie for an extended winning streak, having triumphed over their last three opponents, including the Philadelphia Flyers and the Edmonton Oilers. However, they are still coping with the absence of rising star Jack Hughes, who is on injured reserve after scoring 27 goals this season.

When the two teams last met, the Devils emerged victorious with a 3-2 shootout win at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh will be eager to snap a six-game home losing streak to New Jersey. Historically, the Penguins have secured points in 12 of their last 20 games versus the Devils.

Fans can watch the game on ABC and ESPN+ or listen to it on 105.9 the X and the Penguins app. After the match, viewers can catch live postgame coverage for instant analysis and locker room reactions.

With the regular season rapidly coming to a close, each game holds increasing significance. Both teams are determined to capitalize on this crucial matchup to solidify their playoff aspirations. The atmosphere at PPG Paints Arena is expected to be electric as fans rally behind the Penguins in this pivotal contest.