The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to snap a two game losing streak tonight against the Boston Bruins and the Penguins will have some personnel and line changes.
Sidney Crosby will miss his third straight game due to a concussion and the Penguins have a flu bug going around and Arron Asham will not be available for the Penguins tonight.
Brooks Orpik and Chris Conner who have also been battling illness will play tonight.
However, the Penguins have recalled Dustin Jeffrey on a emergency basis due to Asham being ill. Jeffrey was pulled off the ice at the Baby Pens practice this morning and is currently enroute from Wilkes Barre and should be in Pittsburgh by 5-5:30.
Jeffrey is expected to start the game on the 4th line with Mike Rupp and Craig Adams but could see time as the third line center. Jeffrey’s at the point where he needs to be put in situations where he’s not stuck on the 4th line but with him not being able to practice with the team today, it it remains to be seen if his role increases beyond a 4th line role.
The interesting dynamic for tonight’s game is that Dan Bylsma is splitting up Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin, which was expected based off yesterday’s practice and Bylsma’s comments.
Staal will be reunited with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy, while Evgeni Malkin will center Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis tonight.
***I apologize for the lack of Penguins updates the past couple days. My grandfather passed away and we had his funeral this morning — DePaoli ***