Predicted Penguins lineup tonight: Pittsburgh's projected lineup for preseason game against Blue Jackets | Oct 3rd, 2024

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins will compete in their second-to-last preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The game will mark the first leg of a back-to-back, which will see them compete in a rematch on Friday in Pittsburgh.

After falling to the Detroit Red Wings earlier in the week, the Penguins will look to bounce back in a big way against a Columbus team that is fresh off a win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Ahead of the game, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan and his staff released the team's lineup. However, it's unclear what lines Sullivan will be using as he works to trim down the team's roster ahead of opening night on Wednesday.

Forwards

• 2 – Rutger McGroarty
• 12 – Corey Andonovski
• 13 – Kevin Hayes
• 14 – Bokondji Imama
• 15 – Joona Koppanen
• 18 – Jesse Puljujarvi
• 22 – Sam Poulin
• 26 – Tristan Broz
• 41 – Ville Koivunen
• 44 – Jonathan Gruden
• 48 – Valtteri Puustinen
• 52 – Emil Bemstrom

Defensemen

• 4 – Nathan Clurman
• 5 – Ryan Shea
• 7 – John Ludvig
• 25 – Sebastian Aho
• 38 – Owen Pickering
• 45 – Harrison Brunicke
• 82 – Filip Kral

Goalies

• 31 – Filip Larsson
• 35 – Tristan Jarry

Looking at the Pittsburgh Penguins' offseason moves and the season ahead

Last year, the Pittsburgh Penguins ended their season with a 38-32-12 record that saw them miss the playoffs after ending the season fifth in the Metropolitan Division.

After missing the playoffs for the second straight year, GM Kyle Dubas set out to bolster their roster for the season ahead. Most notably, the team signed Sidney Crosby to a two-year extension, keeping the team in win-now mode rather than shifting their focus to a potential rebuild.

At the same time, the team also made several notable acquisitions to bolster its roster and fill out the depth chart. The team acquired 2023 All-Star Kevin Hayes, who is fresh off a 29-point season with the St. Louis Blues.

In addition, the team also acquired defenseman Sebastian Aho (not to be confused with the Carolina standout), as well as budding young star Rutger McGroarty.

The team is up against some tough competition in the Metropolitan Division with the Devils, Hurricanes and Rangers all expected to be playoff threats. However, the Penguins' offseason moves and the two-year extension signed by Sidney Crosby make it clear that they are looking to make waves in the postseason.