Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-4, 66pts) @ New York Rangers (29-20-3, 61pts)
Pittsburgh kicks off the post All-Star break tonight against the New York Rangers. Pittsburgh is 1-1-1 against New York in three meetings this season.
Pittsburgh will be without captain Sidney Crosby for the 10th straight game. Pittsburgh is 5-3-1 without Crosby this season.
*With Evgeni Malkin sitting out for the 4th straight game, the Penguins recalled forward Dustin Jeffrey this morning. Jeffrey is slated to skate on the 4th line with Arron Asham and Craig Adams.
However, that could change as Mark Letestu reportedly left the Penguins morning skate early and needed assistence off the ice.
If Letestu is unable to play, that could prompt the Penguins to dress seven defensemen.
Jeffrey, 22, has appeared in seven games with Pittsburgh this season, posting four points (2G-2A) and a plus-4 rating. He recorded his first career two-point game with a goal and an assist Dec. 11 at Buffalo.
Jeffrey (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) ranks fourth (tied) in the AHL in scoring with 45 points (17G-28A) through 40 games. He leads the league in shorthanded goals with six (tied), while ranking 11th in assists (28) and seventh in shots with 151.
Pittsburgh went with their same lines in the morning skate that they used in yesterday’s practice, with Jeffrey replacing Malkin on the 4th line.
The Rangers will get a boost tonight with the return of forward Ryan Callahan and defenseman Dan Girardi.