Penguins/Devils Recap: Pens clinch playoffs in 5-2 victory over New Jersey
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 09: Egor Chinakhov #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his goal during the second period of the game against the New Jersey Devils on April 9, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Pregame The Penguins are without the services of Connor Dewar (undisclosed lower body injury, day-to-day) so Avery Hayes slots back into the lineup. The Penguins do get Stuart Skinner back from his eye injury and he starts.
Tonight's lineup in New Jersey ⬇️ pic. twitter. com/sEZDb2dV50 — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 9, 2026 Their opponents, the Devils, are working with these players and lines for the night, sans Luke Hughes who was shut down for the rest of this season to get ready for next year.
Locked in for the Pens. pic. twitter.
com/p9bTMo2vNp — New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 9, 2026 First period Pittsburgh strikes first 4:53 into the game, it’s Bryan Rust with his 29th goal of the season. Egor Chinakhov freezes everyone from the middle of the ice looking for his big shot but he dishes off to Rust. THE MILKSHAKE MAN DELIVERS 👏 Score half off Rusty's shake at @MShakeFactory tomorrow.
pic. twitter. com/qdmda8CAjZ — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 9, 2026 The Devils get the first power play of the game when Anthony Mantha clears the puck over the glass.
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