A few post-practice notes for the Penguins:
— Mark Letestu, as expected, will not play tomorrow afternoon the New York Rangers. He has what is believed to be a minor shoulder injury. Dan Bylsma said during his media session that Letestu may travel with the team to Detroit.
— Although Arron Asham did not skate on the top-4 lines, he again deemed himself ready to return to the lineup and there’s no reason for Bylsma to go with Chris Conner over Asham.
However, Asham will be a “coaches decision” vs the Rangers.
— Winners of three straight, the Rangers (38-30-4, 80 pts) have a little bit breathing room in the Eastern Conference playoff race, opening up a four point lead over the No. 8 Buffalo Sabres and No. 9 Carolina Hurricanes.
Pittsburgh (41-22-8, 90 pts) entered Saturday, four points behind conference leading Philadelphia (94 pts).
— Defenseman Matt Niskanen who battled a bad case of the stomach flu earlier this week, will return to the lineup after missing the past two games.
— Marc Andre Fleury will get the start in goal for Pittsburgh vs the Rangers.