Post-Morning Skate: Michalek says the key is to take the"middle of the ice away" from Gaborik

*-- Tyler Kennedy will miss tonight's game due to the flu.

*-- A challenge for the Penguins tonight is shutting down Marian Gaborik whose presence in the lineup changes the whole dynamic for the Rangers team.

"Flat out speed, head coach Dan Bylsma in his post-morning skate comments said when describing Marian Gaborik's game. "You rarely see a game where you don't see his speed be a real a factor and his skill and hands around the.... When he gets that opportunity... it's elite.

"We gotta be aware of that speed, we gotta take it away, we gotta limit his time and space, whether that's with good checking or physical play, because we saw him do that against us last year.

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek figures to get the matchup against Gaborik and Michalek told me the focus for him and the team is taking the middle of the ice away from Gaborik.

"He really fast, you know, "Michalek said. "He's looking for his chances in around the blueline or redline, looking for breakaways."