Game 2 Morning Skate update: Eric Cole to play; Ruutu out for tonight’s game

The Penguins just concluded their morning skate as the team prepares for game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The top four lines were the same with Pascal Dupuis working in with Craig Adams and Miroslav Satan.

Head Coach Dan Bylsma will make a game time decision on whether he will dress seven defensemen tonight.

Sergei Gonchar is nearing full health and played just under 22 minutes in game 1. That will go into Dan Bylsma’s thinking.

The Hurricanes just took the ice and Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Cole is skating and it appears he will give it a go for tonight’s game.  Cole is skating with Matt Cullen and Chad Larose. I’m told that Cole’s skating, lateral movement looks good and unless he suffers a setback this afternoon, expect to see Cole in the lineup.

Tuomo Ruutu is not skating and team officials have confirmed Ruutu will miss tonight’s game. There has been some talk this morning that Ruutu may not return to the lineup until game 4 at the earliest.

Penguins Lineup for Game 2

Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin

Fedotenko – Malkin – Talbot

Cooke – Staal – Kennedy

Dupuis (GTD) – Adams – Satan

Defensemen

Orpik – Gonchar

Gill – Scuderi

Eaton – Letang

Boucher (GTD)

Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal

Hurricanes Lineup for Game 2

Whitney – Staal – Walker

Cole – Cullen – LaRose

Dwyer – Jokinen – Samsonov

Bayda- Brind’Amour – Eaves

Defensemen

Gleason – Corvo

Pitkanen – Seidenberg

Kaberle – Wallin

Cam Ward will start in goal