Blackhawks @ Penguins

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-1)

@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1-0-1)

Starting Goalies:

Marc-Andre Fleury (CHI): Confirmed

Tristan Jarry (PIT): Likely

Current odds:

Chicago Blackhawks: (+115)

Pittsburgh Penguins: (-135)

• The Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to launch an eight-game homestand feeling pretty good about themselves, while their opponent Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks, are still trying to find their footing.

• Pittsburgh collected three of a possible four points in opening the season with a road trip to Florida. The Penguins opened their campaign Tuesday with a win over the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, and then lost in overtime against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

• Chicago also opened with two road games — a loss Wednesday at Colorado and, while the Penguins were resting at home, an overtime loss Friday at New Jersey. The Blackhawks, unlike Pittsburgh, have a third road game to open the season before getting a chance to play at home. In both of their games, the Blackhawks fell behind initially.

• The teams are meeting for the first time since Nov. 9, 2019, a 3-2 Penguins shootout win.

• Both teams started their backup goaltender in their most recent game, Casey DeSmith for Pittsburgh and Kevin Lankinen for the Blackhawks. That means the expected matchup Saturday will be Tristan Jarry for the Penguins and Marc-Andre Fleury for Chicago. It will be Pittsburgh’s first look at Fleury, their former franchise goalie, in a Blackhawks jersey. Fleury, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, spent the past four seasons with Vegas.

• The Penguins, meanwhile, are awaiting a game when they might have their top line intact. Star center Sidney Crosby has been practicing as he recovers from wrist surgery, but he is unlikely to play Saturday. Top-line left winger Jake Guentzel scored Thursday in his season debut after he missed the opener while coming out of COVID-19 protocol. Top-line right winger Bryan Rust left early in the third period Thursday after taking a hit. There was no update on him Friday as Pittsburgh canceled its practice.

• An off-ice development for Pittsburgh is the status of its 632-game home sellout streak (includes full capacity as allowed last season), which could be in jeopardy. It covers regular season and playoff games and dates to Feb. 14, 2007, at now-razed Mellon Arena. That night, Fleury made 28 saves for the Penguins in a 5-4 shootout win over, as fate would have it, Chicago.