Pittsburgh got what it needed from the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets as they secured two points in the standings. Pittsburgh has jumped ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for the first wild card position and maintain their three point cushion over the surging Philadelphia Flyers who won again last night.
Here is the updated playoff picture
Eastern Conference Playoff Race:#NHLplayoffrace pic.twitter.com/PlFAcMte8B
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) March 12, 2016
The game didn't come without cost. Evgeni Malkin left the game, returned to earn an assist on the game winning goal, and then left for good. It appeared to be a wrist/hand injury. Here is the play.
There were shady plays in this game and there were shady plays that involved Dalton Prout, but this wasn't one of them. Unfortunate result here.
This on the other hand was a garbage play and didn't even result in a penalty. The officials on the ice were pretty negligent and just enabled shady behavior.
Evgeni Malkin will be re-evaluated at some point today.
Evgeni Malkin is returning to Pittsburgh to be evaluated. Wouldn't expect him in the lineup in New York tomorrow.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) March 12, 2016
Pittsburgh's season hangs in the balance with Malkin's health. They may sneak into the playoffs without Geno, but they wouldn't have any realistic expectation of making noise in the playoffs.
The power play was a mess the last time Geno missed time, but Pittsburgh could slot Justin Schultz in on the top unit with Letang to try and soften the blow up top. One of Schultz's strengths is playing on the man advantage and he looked comfortable in that role last night.
Marc-Andre Fleury earned victory 350 while stopping 25 shots.
Kris Letang moves into sole possession of 2nd place on the #Pens all-time goals list by a defenceman
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 12, 2016
Still 30 more goals to go to pass the great Paul Coffey. Letang now has 79 goals in 548 career game while Paul Coffey finished with 108 goals in only 331 games with the Penguins. Different times different eras and no Mario Lemieux/Jaromir Jagr combo for Letang.
Crosby has a 7-game point streak (3G-8A-11PTS) with his assist tonight. Only Jussi Jokinen (8 games) has a longer active streak -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 12, 2016
Pittsburgh allowed a goal on a two on one to Gregory Campbell from Jared Boll. It would be tough to find a lesser skilled combo hooking up for a goal around the league.
Chris Kunitz tried to pull off a clever play. Instead of letting the puck eat him up on his backhand he actually switched hands ala Gordie Howe to try and shoot the puck in the net
The play I was referencing https://t.co/FJrsl1yYIL
— Ryan Wilson (@GunnerStaal) March 12, 2016
Pittsburgh will play the New York Rangers at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who was injured against the Penguins, will make his return to game action today in Detroit. It remains to be seen if he will start back to back games on back to back days.
Thanks for reading!