Penguins/NHL
Defenseman Zbynek Michalek had his sights set on returning to the lineup tonight but those plans might be on him now
Talk coming out of today’s morning skate is that the team will likely hold Michalek out of tonights game. Michalek told reporters he is a game time decision and some minor symptoms are believed to have showed up in the past 12 hours.
Meanwhile, the team is optimistic about Joe Vitale and Jordan Staal playing tonight. Both were full participants. If both players, as expected, play, who sits tonight upfront will come down to Steve MacIntyre or Eric Tangradi. GM Bryan Murray a few weeks ago when he was frustrated over Sidney Crosby’s antics, said he will have to insert more toughness in his lineup the next time Ottawa plays Pittsburgh. That could impact whether MacIntyre dresses but bringing Tangradi up and not playing him makes little sense when if that was a possible scenario, team could have just brought Jason Williams back up as insurance
Goaltender Brent Johnson will get the start in goal. Alex Auld is scheduled to start for Ottawa
