Pittsburgh Penguins (19-12-6, sixth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (26-12-2, first in the Pacific Division)
Paradise, Nevada; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights after losing five games in a row.
Vegas has a 26-12-2 record overall and an 11-9-0 record in home games. The Golden Knights rank fifth in league play with 131 total goals (averaging 3.3 per game).
Pittsburgh has a 9-8-2 record in road games and a 19-12-6 record overall. The Penguins have allowed 111 goals while scoring 121 for a +10 scoring differential.
The matchup Thursday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Penguins won 4-3 in the previous meeting.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reilly Smith has 18 goals and 10 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has scored six goals and added eight assists over the last 10 games.
Sidney Crosby has 19 goals and 24 assists for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.2 assists, three penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Penguins: 4-4-2, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: Brett Howden: out (lower-body), Alec Martinez: out (undisclosed), Robin Lehner: out (hip), Zach Whitecloud: out (undisclosed), Nolan Patrick: out (upper body), Paul Cotter: out (upper body), Shea Weber: out (ankle), Jack Eichel: out (lower-body).
Penguins: Kris Letang: day to day (lower body), Ryan Poehling: out (upper body), Josh Archibald: out (undisclosed), Jeff Petry: out (upper-body), Tristan Jarry: day to day (lower-body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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