Friday Practice Notes
A quick turnaround for the Pens who are back on ice this afternoon at the Consol Energy Center after last night’s 2-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
The Penguins host the Carolina Hurricanes at home tomorrow night. Carolina (23-18-6, 52pts) is two points out of the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.
As expected, Sidney Crosby is not practicing and Evgeni Malkin remains off the ice due to a knee injury.
There has been no word from the team yet on whether they will provide a new update on Malkin, following today’s practice. As of yesterday, the extent of the injury has been unknown. His knee injury is believed to be “re-aggravated”
There has been so hope in the past couple days that Crosby will be cleared for dryland activities by the weekend. All indications is that he won’t be cleared to play before the All-Star break. Crosby has missed 7 straight games.
*In practice today, the Penguins are deploying the same lines they used in last night’s game, with Mark Letestu anchoring the first line with Kunitz and Dupuis on wing.
Dustin Jeffrey is still skating on the 4th line with Arron Asham and Craig Adams.
The Penguins shutdown unit of Matt Cooke – Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy were a combined minus-6 last night.
*The Penguins enter Friday’s action five points behind the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Flyers who have a league high 67pts. The Flyers are riding a four game winning streak.