Penguins/NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-4, 56pts) @ Montreal Canadiens (24-16-3, 51pts)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a three game losing streak and face a Montreal Canadiens team tonight that has the Penguins number, winning 5 of their last 6 games against Pittsburgh, dating back to last year’s second round playoff matchup.
The Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby for the fourth straight game. Pittsburgh is 0-2-1 on the season without Crosby and 21-13-8 in 42 all-time games without Crosby.
A few personnel notes for tonight’s game.
Arron Asham has recovered from an illness that kept him out of Monday’s game and will return to the lineup tonight. Asham will replace Dustin Jeffrey who did not participate in the morning skate and will be sent back to Wilkes Barre/Scranton this afternoon.
As expected, Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin will remain on separate lines.
Tonight’s Lines
Kunitz – Malkin – Dupuis
Cooke – Staal – Kennedy
Asham – Letestu – Adams
Rupp – Talbot – Conner
Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal for Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Canadiens winger Mike Cammalleri will not play tonight. Cammalleri torched the Penguins last spring in what led to a full focus from Penguins management to upgrade their blueline in the off-season.
