EDMONTON, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-4-1) are going through a difficult period. They are winless in their last three games, and their bad habit of taking the lead in the third period cost them again Tuesday in a shootout loss to the Calgary Flames. After a day off and training in Edmonton, the Penguins will face the Edmonton Oilers (2-4-1) on Friday at Rogers Place.

Puck drops just after 9 p.m. ET.

The game is the first of a back-to-back series and features Penguins captain Sidney Crosby’s marquee matchup against Connor McDavid.

Learn more: “No thinking”: McDavid as Team Canada captain; Crosby’s smiling response

The Penguins face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

The Penguins bounced back from many sloppy plays hockey in a loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday and a more structured attempt Tuesday in Calgary. They were better but far from perfect, as turnovers and mistakes led to odd runs and goals. However, the Penguins led 3-2 in the final minute before allowing Calgary to equalize with the extra attacker.

Bryan Rust scored a power play goal for the Penguins. Rickard Rakell and Noel Acciari also scored goals. But Calgary center Nazem Kadri tied the game with 43 seconds remaining, and Justin Kirkland scored in the sixth round of the shootout.

Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic wasn’t happy with his performance, but his play exceeded his numbers. Nedeljkovic stopped 22 of 25 shots, but allowed three shootout goals.

Learn more: They said it. Penguins Sour After Shootout Loss

Edmonton is also facing a loss that left them salty. Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho scored the overtime game-winner with just seven seconds left in the extra period.

Edmonton is struggling this season, even at home. They are 1-3-1 at Rogers Place, and even the vaunted power play is undergoing changes. Their numerical disadvantage kills just over 50% of the chances.

The Stanley Cup Final hangover was strong. Connor McDavid scored just his second and third goals of the season Tuesday against Carolina.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan will announce his starting goaltender following morning skate. It won’t be Tristan Jarry; the team sent the goaltender home to work with director of goaltending Jon Elkin.

Penguin Lines

Penguin Lines

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Glass Anthony Beauvillier-Lars Eller-Cody

Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari-Jesse Puljujarvi

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Jack St. Ivany

Goalkeepers: Alex Nedeljkovic

Joel Blomqvist

Tanker lines (estimated)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Connor McDavid-Zach Hyman

Vasily Podklzin-Leon Draisaitl-Viktor Arvidsson

Jeff Skinner-Adam Henrique-Connor Brown

Mattias Janmark-Derek Ryan-Corey Perry

Defense

Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard

Darnell Nurse-Troy Stecher

Brett Kulak-Ty Emberson

Goalkeeper: Stuart Skinner

Special teams

Penguins power play: 6 for 25, 24%, 12th. Penguins Penalty Kill: 4 of 23, 82.6%, 10th

Oilers power play: 2 for 19, 10% 28th. Oilers penalty: 10-fr-22, 54%, 32nd.

Penguins Game Notes

*The Penguins are looking for their first victory in Edmonton since December 20, 2019.

*Evgeni Malkin has 21 points (8G-13A) in 21 career games against Edmonton. He has points in six consecutive games against the Oilers (3-3-6).

*Malkin is ninth in the NHL scoring race.

*Lars Eller is one of five players who share the league lead in road goals. Eller has four goals in five away games.

*Thirteen Penguins players have scored this season. Noel Acciari became the 13th player by scoring his first goal of the year on Tuesday evening. The Penguins are behind the NHL leaders in most unique goal scorers.

How to watch

Television: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The