Penguins/NHL
Pens – Devils Morning Skate Buzz
Evgeni Malkin participated in today’s morning skate but will be held out for the fifth straight game, head coach Dan Bylsma confirmed this morning. It’s a decision I’d call a smart one.
Malkin did take line rushes on wing for the second straight day, skating on the extra line with Mark Letestu and Sidney Crosby.
Malkin and Crosby also each got reps on the power play.
Lines
Kunitz – Staal – Dupuis
Sullivan – Park – Neal
Cooke – Vitale – Asham
MacIntyre – Jeffrey – Adams
Extra: Malkin – Crosby – Letestu
Tidbits
*Dustin Jeffrey might see a slight increase in playing time tonight, most notably on the power play.
*Dan Bylsma said which defenseman sits will be a game time decision. Based on the past two skates, it appears Lovejoy will be the odd-man out but we’ll see.
*Steve MacIntyre may dress over Mark Letestu.
*Johan Hedberg will start in goal for New Jersey.
Changes on Power Play
With the return of Kris Letang tonight and no Evgeni Malkin, Steve Sullivan will play on the half wall and the Penguins want to run the power play from that left side tonight it seems.
Bylsma said Pascal Dupuis, Richard Park and Paul Martin could all see time on the point.
Injury Buzz
*The diagnosis on Brian Strait for right now is a minimum 4-to-6 weeks depending on rehab, head coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.
*Sidney Crosby continues to progress but is looking for more contact in skates, most notably in practices.
