The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the St. Louis Blues on November 6, 2023, without key forward Rickard Rakell, who is sidelined for up to eight weeks following surgery on his left hand. Rakell, who led the Penguins with 35 goals last season, sustained the injury when a puck struck him during a recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, which ended in a 5-4 shootout loss.
Head coach Dan Muse expressed confidence in Rakell’s recovery, stating, “You hate to see it, but I think with Raks, he’s going to be in good hands here. We got a great staff here that’s going to be working hard to help him get back as soon as he can.” In response to the injury, the Penguins have called up Ville Koivunen from the minors to fill the gap.
Penguins Adjust Lineup for Blues Matchup
During practice on Sunday, Filip Hallander took Rakell’s place on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Koivunen, who initially struggled in the NHL and was sent back to the minors, returns after a successful stint in the AHL, where he recorded four goals and 11 points in just six games. “Of course, it gives (confidence) when you score a couple of goals, score a couple of points and, of course, when you win a couple of games,” Koivunen remarked.
The Penguins are looking to bounce back after their recent loss, which ended a four-game winning streak. During that game, they squandered two one-goal leads and found themselves trailing 4-2 early in the third period, only to rally for a point in the standings. Evgeni Malkin contributed significantly, with two assists, extending his point streak to six games, totaling nine points during that stretch.
Blues Seek to End Losing Streak
The St. Louis Blues enter this matchup on a downward trajectory, having lost three consecutive games, including a surprising 6-4 defeat to the Detroit Red Wings. The Blues held a commanding 4-0 lead early in the second period before allowing six unanswered goals. Captain Brayden Schenn acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We just didn’t manage the game the way we could have. We gave them life and they got some bounces.”
The Blues were nearing a comfortable 4-1 lead at the second intermission, but Detroit’s quick goals shifted momentum. Head coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the need for consistent performance: “We have to be able to check for 60 minutes. We didn’t check for 60 minutes. We did a great job for about 38, and the last 22 weren’t good enough.”
In addition to their recent struggles, the Blues face their own injury concerns. Center Robert Thomas left Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury, casting uncertainty on his availability. Meanwhile, Jordan Kyrou continues to shine, extending his point streak to six games with two goals and four assists during that period.
As the Penguins prepare to host the Blues, both teams are eager to shift their fortunes. The Penguins will look to secure a vital home victory, while the Blues hope to rectify their defensive lapses and end their losing streak.
