Devils vs. Penguins: Murray Out, Brassard Debuts
Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is out indefinitely with a concussion, while newly acquired center Derick Brassard is expected to debut tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without starting goaltender Matt Murray, who has been diagnosed with a concussion and is out indefinitely. This news comes after Murray was struck by a puck in practice on Monday Source.
In his place, rookie Casey DeSmith is likely to get the start tonight against the New Jersey Devils, with Tristan Jarry serving as the backup. This is a significant blow for the Penguins, who are two points behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Philadelphia Flyers.
Brassard to Debut for Penguins
On a more positive note for Pittsburgh, newly acquired center Derick Brassard is slated to make his debut tonight. Brassard was part of a three-team trade on Feb. 23 and joined the team for an optional morning skate today. His integration into the lineup could provide a boost to the Penguins' offensive efforts.
Devils Recent Performance and Acquisitions
The New Jersey Devils enter this matchup on a strong run, with a 5-2-0 record in their last seven games. They currently hold the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets Source.
The Devils also made a recent acquisition, trading for forward Pat Maroon. However, Maroon will not play tonight and is expected to make his debut on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.
Players to Watch
- Taylor Hall (Devils): Hall is on a remarkable 21-game point streak, accumulating 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) during this span. He remains a top-tier fantasy option.
- Evgeni Malkin (Penguins): Malkin has been red-hot, with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his last six games and an impressive 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in his past 13 outings.
Projected Lineups
New Jersey Devils:
- Taylor Hall -- Nico Hischier -- Kyle Palmieri
- Miles Wood -- Pavel Zacha -- Jesper Bratt
- Michael Grabner -- Travis Zajac -- Stefan Noesen
- Blake Coleman -- Brian Boyle -- Drew Stafford
Defense: Andy Greene -- Sami Vatanen, John Moore -- Damon Severson, Will Butcher -- Ben Lovejoy
Goaltenders: Keith Kinkaid, Eddie Lack
Injured: Brian Gibbons (broken right thumb), Marcus Johansson (concussion), Cory Schneider (groin/hip)
Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
- Carl Hagelin -- Evgeni Malkin -- Patric Hornqvist
- Conor Sheary -- Derick Brassard -- Phil Kessel
- Zach Aston-Reese -- Riley Sheahan -- Tom Kuhnhackl
Defense: Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang, Olli Maatta -- Justin Schultz, Matt Hunwick -- Jamie Oleksiak
Goaltenders: Casey DeSmith, Tristan Jarry
Injured: Matt Murray (concussion)
Key takeaways
- 01Matt Murray is out indefinitely with a concussion, making Casey DeSmith the likely starter for the Penguins tonight.
- 02Derick Brassard will make his Pittsburgh Penguins debut, potentially impacting line combinations and power-play units.
- 03Taylor Hall is on a 21-game point streak, solidifying his status as a top fantasy and betting play.
- 04Evgeni Malkin is also red-hot with a six-game point streak and explosive production over his last 13 games.
- 05Pat Maroon will not play for the Devils tonight; his debut is expected on Thursday against the Panthers.
Frequently asked
What is the impact of Matt Murray's injury for the Penguins and my fantasy team?+
Murray's concussion means the Penguins will rely on rookie Casey DeSmith. This significantly impacts their goalie situation and creates an immediate void for fantasy managers who roster Murray, requiring a streaming or waiver wire pickup.
How does Derick Brassard's debut affect the Pittsburgh Penguins' offensive outlook?+
Brassard's debut as a new center adds depth and potential scoring to the Penguins. His integration could lead to new line combinations, potentially boosting the fantasy value of his new linemates or creating favorable matchups for prop bets.
Should I consider starting Casey DeSmith with Murray out?+
With Matt Murray out indefinitely due to a concussion, DeSmith is expected to start. While DeSmith is an unproven rookie, his potential workload makes him a speculative stream or DFS play, especially with the Penguins' strong offensive support at home.
Are there any high-value player props or DFS targets for this game?+
Taylor Hall and Evgeni Malkin are both on significant point streaks, making them strong targets for goal or point prop bets. DeSmith's unproven status against a hot Devils team could also open opportunities for Devils player props related to shots or goals.
Sources
Every briefing is drafted from primary sources - official announcements, vendor blogs, and reputable industry reporting - then edited by our pipeline.
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