Sidney Crosby logs season high 25:28 of ice time vs Blues

Sidney Crosby has totaled 24:00 or more of ice time in a game just three times this season as his ice time has dropped under Mike Johnston this season. Playing with 11 forwards vs the Blues Tuesday night, Crosby logged a season high 25:28 of ice time in the loss. Crosby was a minus-1 with 2 shots on goal and 40% (11-27) in the faceoff circle. Crosby was held pointless for the 28th time this season and the Blues remain the only NHL team he hasn’t scored a goal against in his career. Crosby enters Wednesday’s action tied with John Tavares for first in the NHL in points (74). 2013-2014 Stats: 68 GP – 24 Goals – 50 Assists – 74

Christian Ehrhoff to play vs Blues

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will play tonight vs the St. Louis, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said moments ago. “I expect he will be able to play,” Johnston said. Ehrhoff was a late scratch vs the Coyotes on Saturday night. The Penguins will dress 11 forwards, 7 defenseman. 2014-2015 Stats: 48 GP – 3 Goals – 11 Assists – 14 Points – +8

Penguins rule out possibility of Pascal Dupuis returning this season

In a video posted by the Penguins, head coach Mike Johnston officially confirms Pascal Dupuis won’t play this season. “Even though he does skate on his own and he does work out, there’s still the blood clot situation that they’re dealing with,” Johnston said. “Pascal Dupuis won’t play for us this season. It’s a timeline. There’s a certain timeline where he cannot have contact. Then even when it gets beyond that point, where he can have contact, there’s going to be a lot of discussion with he doctors. That’s better kept for later in the year and the offseason, to figure out where he is at as far as his playing career and being able to rejoin us.” GM Jim

Matthew Murray sets AHL record with 10th shutout of season

2012 3rd round pick Matthew Murray made 32 saves on 32 shots, recording his AHL rookie record 10th shutout of the season this afternoon for Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins. WBS defeated Lehigh Valley 3-0 and the Penguins were outshot 14-3 in the third period and 32-19 in the game. Murray is 21-8-3 with 10 shutouts . 2014-2015 Stats (WBS Penguins): 21-8-3, 10 SO

Christian Ehrhoff a late scratch vs Coyotes wasn’t concussion related, Penguins claim

Christian Ehrhoff who has dealt with multiple re-occurrences of headaches over the last two months, was a late scratch out of nowhere for the Penguins last night vs the Arizona Coyotes. “One of those situations, where we found out after warmups that he wasn’t going to play,” said Penguins head coach Mike Johnston. “Just not a major injury or anything like that, just something that was nagging him and forced him out of the game.” When asked about whether it was concussion related, Johnston said “nothing related to that.” 2014-2015 Stats: 48 GP – 3 Goals – 11 Assists – 14 Points – +8

Mike Johnston see’s positives in one key area for Chris Kunitz

Chris Kunitz isn’t scoring but he’s getting high volume chances, which Penguins head coach Mike Johnston continues to see as a positive and believes he’s bound to breakout. “He’s had some good chances. Last game in Jersey he had three really good chances,” Johnston said :Anytime a player is getting those quality chances, much like the power play and we measured that. Are we or aren’t we getting quality chances? Lately he’s just missed some great opportunities and he’s going to start burying those.” Kunitz by the Numbers 0 Points in 7 games 1 Goal in his last 21 games 1 Even Strength Goal in his last 33 games 2014-2015 Stats: 62 GP – 16 Goals – 23 Assists –

Marc Andre Fleury has strong career numbers vs Stars

Marc Andre Fleury having allowed 8 goals over his last two starts (87:44), is back in goal tonight vs the Dallas Stars. Fleury is 11-3-3 with a .942 save percentage vs the Western Conference this season and has strong career numbers vs Stars. All-time vs Dallas, Fleury is 6-2-0 with a 2.20 GAA. 2014-2015 Stats: 31-15-7, 2.23 GAA, .922 SV%, 9 SO

Thomas Greiss likely to start vs Devils

Thomas Greiss (8-4-3, 2.63 GAA, .911 SV%) will appear in goal for the third time in three games, getting the start tonight vs the New Jersey Devils, according to reporters on the scene at the Penguins morning skate. Greiss was strong in goal vs the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon, making 28 saves on 29 shots. He stopped 8 of 9 shots in relief of Marc Andre Fleury on Sunday. Greiss has a .938 save percentage over his last three starts and is 1-1 in two career games vs New Jersey.

Penguins concerned with injury to Patric Hornqvist

Patric Hornqvist left in the third period of Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Red Wings and the undisclosed injury is potentially very concerning. “He left with an injury,” Mike Johnston said. “It looked bad when he left the ice.” Hornqvist will undergo tests tomorrow. “We’ll find out tomorrow,” Johnston said. With already major question marks in the top-6 with Chris Kunitz fading play and Blake Comeau, losing Hornqvist for a significant period and into the playoffs would be a huge blow. 2014-2015 Stats: 56 GP – 23 Goals – 22 Assists – 45 Points – +12

Fleury pulled in second period after allowing 4 goals on 16 shots

It’s been a miserable afternoon for the Pittsburgh Penguins that has seen Marc Andre Fleury pulled in the second period after allowing 4 goals on 16 shots as the Penguins fell behind 4-0 to the Red Wings. Fleury has allowed 8 goals in his last 87:44 of action. He was not sharp from the start and the Penguins have been plagued by constant defensive breakdowns. 3-15-15 vs Red Wings 12 Saves / 16 Shots, .750 Save Percentage