Morning Skate Buzz: Signs point to 7-D again? Neal, Kunitz to rotate on top power play unit

MORNING SKATE BUZZ

— Defenseman Paul Martin remains out of the lineup tonight for the Penguins and will miss his second straight game tonight.

During line rushes this morning, Simon Despres and Ben Lovejoy worked exclusively as the extra pair with tonight’s scratch line of Dustin Jeffrey – Joe Vitale and Arron Asham. Despres though worked the point on the second power play unit, a sign the team will dress seven defensemen tonight.

The Penguins top three D-pairs included:

Brooks Orpik – Kris Letang

Matt Niskanen – Zbynek Michalek

Brian Strait – Deryk Engelland

TANGRADI IN IF PENS DRESS 12 FORWARDS

After a strong game in Game 4, expect winger Eric Tangradi to be in the lineup iF Bylsma goes with 12 forwards, which is a big if.

Tangradi was a regular this morning on the 4th line with Craig Adams and Richard Park.

POWER PLAY SETUP

1st Unit: Kunitz – Malkin – Crosby

Sullivan – Letang

2nd Unit: Cooke – Kennedy – Staal

Niskanen – Despres

*The plan going into tonight’s game appears to be for James Neal to rotate with Chris Kunitz. Sidney Crosby won’t be coming off the top unit.

MORNING SKATE LINES

Kunitz – Malkin – Neal

Sullivan – Crosby – Dupuis

Cooke – Staal – Kennedy

Tangradi – Adams – Park

Jeffrey – Vitale – Asham

D-PAIRS

Orpik – Letang

Niskanen – Michalek

Strait – Engelland

Despres – Lovejoy