Penguins are back in action tonight after being off since Monday’s victory over the Rangers. They will finish up their regular season series with the Nashville Predators on home ice. Pittsburgh is currently third place in the Metropolitan Division behind the Capitals and Islanders.
Catching the Capitals doesn’t look probable at this point. They have a five point lead in the standings with only five games left for the Penguins. Catching the Islanders for second place does seem feasible. Pittsburgh has a game in hand and are two points back. It’s looking more and more like that will be the playoff matchup.
For the Washington series to happen the Capitals would have to be caught by the Islanders and Pittsburgh would have to remain behind New York. I don’t find that probable because the Penguins have some favorable matchups coming with another game against the Rangers and two against the Red Wings after they play Nashville and Carolina.
The Islanders being the likely opponent is a best case scenario for any team in the East. There is some good competition this year in the Eastern Conference and if you privately asked the top seeds who they would rather play I think the Islanders would be a popular option. It isn’t meant as an insult to the Islanders, but when you look at the other teams they are stronger and more consistent.
Every year we have a PDO infused team playing above their actual ability. The Islanders are that team.
PDO has dried up and the shot attempt side of things isn’t going well either
As far as the game tonight we might see a change in the lineup. Olli Maatta may be returning to the lineup. It is likely he plays with Brian Dumoulin with Zach Trotman being the odd man out. If that is the case it is further evidence the team has no interest in changing up the other two pairings.
Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang both skated with Chad Ruhwedel before the optional skate. They will have to join the team for practice before they are on track to return. The team plays every other day until Thursday so there aren’t a ton of opportunities for that to happen. I don’t think they’ll be placed in the lineup without at least two practices which means Tuesday’s game would be the soonest to see any of them. We’ll see.
Sidney Crosby has 94 points. He has five games to get six points and hit 100 for the sixth time in his career and the first time since 2013-14.
Matt Murray is starting again. He’s been playing great. I hope they do give him at least two of the next five games off to rest. He needs to be on top of his game for the Penguins to navigate through the loaded Eastern Conference.
Thanks for reading!