MORNING PENS BUZZ: Letang pushing hard to play vs NYR; Pens wrapup Pro Scouting Meetings; Four Prospects available with trade value

We are moving past the midway point of the season and as dangerous as the Penguins might be in the playoffs if they get fully healthy, the Penguins have to start moving away from that No. 8, No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference to avoid a possible first round matchup against likes of the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh enters tonight's game against the New York Rangers (29-11-4, 62 pts), 10 points behind the conference leading Rangers. Any hopes of climbing back in the division race starts tonight as a loss would move the Rangers 12 points ahead of Pittsburgh.

The Penguins 0-2 against the Rangers this season, are 0-5 against the top-3 teams in the Eastern Conference (New York 62 pts, Boston 59 pts, Philadelphia 58 pts). They have to start chipping away at getting wins against the likes of New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has four games remaining against the Rangers, four against the Flyers and three games remaining against the Bruins.

Tonight Pittsburgh looks for a big boost on the blueline as defenseman Kris Letang is pushing hard to play tonight, just two days after starting to skate with the team. Some will argue that he should have to go through a couple more practices and shouldn't comeback from a concussion in back-to-back situations as Pittsburgh plays tonight vs New York and tomorrow night vs Montreal.

{I'm} 100% confident or I wouldn't be on the ice, " Letang said on Wednesday.

All signs point to Letang playing tonight.

Penguins GM Ray Shero and his staff on Wednesday wrapped up three days of Pro Scouting meetings as the team prepares for the February 27th trade deadline.

With uncertainty of what cap space will be available due to the unknown about Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh has different scenarios on the table that the team is ready to explore, sources say.