Not so great news heading into an important stretch of games against the Flyers. Sidney Crosby will NOT be in the lineup this evening due to COVID protocol. Uh oh
All that is known is Sidney Crosby will miss at least one game. This is not good news. The Penguins are not the powerhouse they once were even with Crosby in the lineup. Their center depth is meh at best. The Penguins are also two points back of the Flyers for fourth place. The Flyers also have two games in hand. The Penguins next three games are against the Flyers. This stretch of games has the potential to be horrendous if it goes sideways.
With Crosby out it is all but certain Jared McCann will have to move to center taking away one of Mike Sullivan's top six options at wing. Evgeni Malkin, Jared McCann, Teddy Blueger, and Sam Lafferty is a far cry from the old days of Crosby, Malkin, Staal or even Crosby, Malkin, Bonino, Cullen.
This will be a real test for Evgeni Malkin. He should be getting Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust on his line. We know how great this trio was last year. Can Geno snap out of his funk now that QoT will not be an excuse. I think there's a chance we see Malkin in his best form of the year. The team will need it.
Make no mistake the Penguins need Sidney Crosby. However, the Flyers aren't exactly setting the world on fire so far this year as far as driving play.
If the Penguins can play a boring game and lean into the Malkin line there is a path to victory. A victory they sorely need.
Thanks for reading!
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