After being embarrassed on Wednesday night the Penguins will look to get back on track against the struggling New York Islanders this evening.
The Islanders have been a mess this year. They are 5-8-3 and are currently holding down the last place position in the Eastern Conference. Jack Capuano’s seat is getting hotter and he has been using a blender to come up with his lines.
All that said the Penguins have to come more prepared to play than they did the other night. On top of that they may be shorthanded. Patric Hornqvist suffered a concussion against the Capitals and Chris Kunitz has a lower body injury. They are both listed day to day and if neither player is good to go tonight that would be two out of their four top six wingers out of the lineup. If this is the case Mike Sullivan is going to have to break up HBK again. Crosby and Malkin are already responsible for elevating players like Rust and Sheary in their top six roles. Losing Kunitz and Hornqvist would put even more stress on them. They would need a little bit more help.
Chris Kunitz did participate in the morning skate while Patric Hornqvist did not.
If you are wondering how Hornqvist came about a concussion this might shed some light on it
For some reason that is acceptable.
Kunitz felt good after the skate and he is a game-time decision. Things are looking OK for him playing tonight.
There was a little bit of fear about Matt Murray being injured the other night after being whacked by Evgeni Malkin’s stick, but it appears he is good to go. He was the first goaltender off the ice today and Mike Sullivan has named him the starter tonight. Jaro Halak will be the guy for the Islanders.
Tom Sestito was placed on waivers yesterday. Today nobody claimed him. He remains on the Penguins NHL roster. He was one of the last players on the ice and will be a likely scratch this evening.
Here is the matchup tonight
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