Penguins defenseman Kris Letang who has yet to be cleared for contact, will miss his eighth straight game tonight vs the Washington Capitals. Letang skated again this morning in a non-contact sweater. Adopting a defensive mindset, the Penguins have surged in Letang’s absence, going 5-1-1 and allowing just 2 goals against per game during the stretch. Pittsburgh in their previous 10 games prior to Letang’s injury in the outdoor game, were surrendering 3.4 goals against per game.

Joseph Blandisi will make his Penguins debut tonight, replacing Zach-Aston Reese who is day-to-day with a minor hip injury.

LINEUP
McCann – Crosby – Guentzel
Blueger – Malkin – Kessel
Simon – Blugstad – Hornqvist
Blandisi – Cullen – Wilson

DuMoulin – Trotman
Johnson – Schultz
Pettersson – Gudbranson

Matt Murray in Goal