The Penguins (30-22-3) won for the fifth time in the last six games, defeating Vegas, 5-4, in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. After falling behind 2-0, the Penguins scored five unanswered goals to build a 5-2 lead and then held off a late push by the Golden Knights and spoiled Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury's return to Pittsburgh.
"It was what I think everybody expected it to be," Penguins goaltender Matt Murray said. "It was an emotional, pretty free-flowing game. They're a really good team. They're tough to play against. We had to give it our best to get the two points."
The Penguins are 10-3-0 in their last 13 games and are in second place in the Metropolitan Division.
Forwards Tom Kuhnhackl (lower body) and Carter Rowney (lower body) were injured in Tuesday's game, and neither practiced Thursday. Kuhnhackl is week to week and Rowney is day to day.
Forward Conor Sheary practiced Thursday and traveled with the Penguins on their road trip. Sheary is day to day.
Pittsburgh recalled forward Teddy Blueger from the AHL Thursday.
Friday will mark the first game against Dallas for defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who was traded from the Stars to the Penguins in December.
"I've thought about it a little bit," Oleksiak told Pittsburgh media Thursday. "It's a game coming up that has a little bit of a weird atmosphere around it. But I think the closer it gets, the more it feels like you are in the same routine. Obviously, it's a huge game for us, but I don't think it is bigger than any other game we've played."
Friday's game is the first of a two-game road trip for the Penguins, who have their fathers on the trip.
Injuries: F Conor Sheary (lower body) and F Carter Rowney (lower body) are day to day. F Patrick Hornqvist (lower body) and F Tom Kuhnhackl (lower body) are injured reserve.
