New York Islanders (15-25-7-37pts) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-4-64pts)
PITTSBURGH — The Penguins final game before the All-Star break will be their third straight without star forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Crosby will miss his 9th straight due to a concussion and Malkin will be held out for one more game due to a banged up knee.
A few notes from today’s morning skate:
Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz are participating in the skate after missing yesterday’s workout due to an illness. Both will play.
Meanwhile, Matt Cooke is not on the ice this morning. No official word from the team yet on his status for tonight.
Eric Godard is skating on left wing with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy in Cooke’s absence. A sign that the Penguins expect Cooke to be available tonight.
The sense is If Cooke wasn’t going to be available, they would have someone of importance taking reps on the second line who would be in that spot tonight.
Head coach Dan Bylsma went with these lines in the skate. Dustin Jeffrey remains on the 4th line with Arron Asham and Craig Adams.
Godard – Staal – Kennedy
Kunitz – Letestu – Dupuis
Rupp – Talbot – Conner
Asham – Jeffrey – Adams
Marc Andre Fleury will get the start in goal for Pittsburgh.