Penguins (28-11-1, 57 pts) @ Blue Jackets (17-17-4, 38 pts)
— Tonight’s goaltending matchup features Jeff Zatkoff (6-2-0, 2.46 GAA, .912 sv %) vs Curtis McElhinney (6-5-1, 2.43 GAA, .921 sv%). Zatkoff has won six straight games and recorded his first career shutout vs the Blue Jackets on Nov 2.
— Rob Scuderi has missed the last 29 games due to a broken ankle and appears likely to return to the lineup tonight. Scuderi has informed the coaching staff he is ready to play and when a veteran of Scuderi’s stature says he’s ready to play, it’s likely he will play.
— Evgeni Malkin won’t play tonight but is getting close to returning.
— Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma told reporters today that Kris Letang continues to skate back in Pittsburgh and has full range of motion in his arm and is skating without an apparatus on his arm. Letang has been sidelined due to an arm/elbow injury. Letang should return soon and the Penguins are getting close to full health on the blueline with Paul Martin likely to return at somepoint in January.
— Like the Penguins, Columbus has been hit hard by injuries this season. The difference is the Penguins are a team that can overcome injuries. The Penguins have 219 man games and Columbus has 164 man games.
— Columbus is looking to extend their winning streak to a season high four games.