Crosby a late scratch than Penguins lose Malkin to injury early in 2-0 loss to surging Bruins

1ST PERIOD

BOS 09:53 – MILAN LUCIC (15)

3RD PERIOD

BOS 19:22 – ZDENO CHARA (7)

Tuukka Rask made 30 saves earning his 3rd shutout of the season. Thomas Greiss was solid for the third straight start, turning aside 28 of 29 shots. Greiss gave the Penguins a chance in a tough situation.

The Penguins played shorthanded as Sidney Crosby was a late scratch after participating in warmups and Evgeni Malkin would have just five shifts, playing 4:15, after taking a hard hit from Chris Kelly on his first shift of the game. Malkin tried to keep playing but didn’t come out for the second and third period.

On Crosby, Johnston said the Penguins captain was feeling well. “I was told that Sid was seeing the doctors and wasn’t feeling well after warmups,” Johnston said. Johnston claimed it’s not an injury. “It’s just that he wasn’t feeling well,” Johnston said. “That’s probably the best way to describe it. It’s not an injury. He didn’t get himself injured.”

Craig Adams replaced Crosby in the lineup.

Johnston was uncertain whether Crosby or Malkin will play tomorrow afternoon vs the Detroit Red Wings but said both could have a chance.

“We think they might be able to play.”

The Penguins played with the Bruins at even strength, out-shooting them 24-22 (@ ES) and Johnston cited the power play as the area Crosby and Malkin were missed the most today.

Pittsburgh went 0-3 on the man advantage and had just 5 shots.

The Bruins (36-22-8, 82 pts) have moved into the top wildcard spot over the Capitals (36-23-10, 82 pts) due to having one game in hand. Boston is 8-1-1 in their last 10 and have lost just 2 of their last 13 games in regulation.

The Bruins trail the Detroit Red Wings (37-19-11, 85 pts) by just three points for third in the Atlantic Division. Detroit was crushed by the Philadelphia, 7-2, this afternoon and face the Penguins tomorrow afternoon at Consol.