Game 5 Morning Skate Buzz: Robert Bortuzzo to draw back into lineup for injured Orpik

GAME 5 MORNING SKATE BUZZ

The Penguins will make one lineup change tonight in Game 5 as they look to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. Robert Bortuzzo who has been playing very well, will draw back into the lineup due to a knee injury for Brooks Orpik.

Orpik was injured early into Game 4 as his knee buckled on an attempted hit. There’s no expectations that the Penguins will see Orpik again this series, even if it goes six or seven games.

The Penguins will dress the same 12 forwards tonight and the No. 1 power play unit of Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Evgeni Malkin, Paul Martin – Kris Letang was intact again this morning as Letang remains on the No. 1 unit ahead of Matt Niskanen, something that is look at as a very questionable move. The Penguins are 1-11 on the power play this series and if the Rangers had anything resembling an actual NHL power play, Pittsburgh’s lack of production on the man-advantage would be a much bigger storyline.

Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby centered separate lines this morning but it’s anticipated that the two will play together again tonight.

If the Penguins eliminate the Rangers tonight, the team will be looking at having at least 5-6 days off and potentially a week to 9 days off if the Canadiens – Bruins series goes seven games. Boston and Montreal are tied at 2-2 after a 1-0 Bruins overtime win last night to tie the series./div>