Penguins/NHL
Updated 7:14 p.m. — Ruslan Fedotenko (ankle) and Sergei Gonchar (foot) were late scratches (coaches decision) following warmups after it appeared both would play. Max Talbot will move into the lineup upfront.
Michael Rupp will skate with Evgeni Malkin.
Philadelphia (20-19-3) @ Pittsburgh (27-16-1)
Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh went through a light skate this morning as the team prepares for a showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers tonight.
Forward Ruslan Fedotenko tested his injured ankle, skated well and should play tonight against the Flyers. Fedotenko missed practice on Wednesday as he was evaluated by team doctors.
Meanwhile, Max Talbot has some soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. Talbot was evaluated by Dr. Charles Burke on Wednesday. A source tells me there is no new injury to the shoulder and he remains cleared to play.
However, the coaching staff is likely to keep him out another few days, if Fedotenko plays, although Talbot did participate in the Penguins pre-game skate. Yesterday there was talk that the team was considering the possibility of sitting Talbot for 7-10 days to let him rest his shoulder.
*Defenseman Sergei Gonchar took another step towards returning to action today. Gonchar skated very well for the second straight day and and is expected back in the lineup tonight.
Gonchar has missed the Penguins past 3 games.
*Evgeni Malkin, Pascal Dupuis, Matt Cooke, and Bill Guerin did not participate in the skate.
Marc Andre Fleury (22-13) will start in goal and will be vying for his 23rd win of the season.
*Mike Yeo has rejoined the team but contrary to what was reported yesterday, Yeo will not return to the bench tonight.
