Playoff Battle: Penguins Face Devils Amid Injury Concerns

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The New Jersey Devils are set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 11, 2025, as both teams head into the final stretch of the NHL regular season. While the Devils are gearing up for the playoffs, the Penguins have been officially eliminated, bringing a bittersweet dynamic to the matchup.

The Penguins will be missing several key players, including defenseman P.O. Joseph and forwards Tommy Novak and Philip Tomasino, who are all sidelined due to injuries. According to head coach Mike Sullivan, the Penguins’ playoffs hopes faded following their latest loss to the Boston Bruins. “It’s been a tough season, but we’re focusing on evaluating our younger players as we finish out the last games,” said Sullivan.

In contrast, the Devils are riding a wave of momentum after securing their playoff berth. This season, New Jersey holds a slight edge in their head-to-head matchup with the Penguins, winning two out of three encounters. “We want to keep the pressure on and maintain our game at a high level,” stated Devils coach Sheldon Keefe. “Every game counts as we prepare for what’s next.”

Projected lineups show that the Penguins will feature stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, while the Devils will rely on the likes of Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. The game will highlight these teams’ contrasting trajectories this season.

In another interesting note, the Penguins’ defense has faced challenges with several injuries impacting their depth, including a game-time decision on Tomasino, who recently returned to practice. This ongoing situation emphasizes the team’s struggles to maintain a competitive edge this late in the season.

On the scoreboard, the Devils hope to capitalize on their home advantage. They have a solid record against Pittsburgh at home, with a 4-1-0 record since 2022-23. As for Bratt, he leads the team with six points against the Penguins this season and is looking to extend that tally further.

With both teams’ lineups subject to change leading up to game time, fans can expect a competitive atmosphere at PPG Paints Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcasted on SN-PIT and NHL Network.