Jared McCann scored two goals, including a third period short-handed “spin-a-rama” tally and Jake Guentzel scored his team-leading 38th of the season as the Penguins beat the Dallas Stars 3-2, to pull to within a point of first place of the Metro Division.
The Islanders are also a point behind Washington and hold the tie-breaker over the Pens. Pittsburgh has six games left in the regular season, and hit the ice again tomorrow night against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
On the injury front, Evgeni Malkin is skating on his own in full pads after an upper body injury a week ago. Olli Maatta is almost ready to play. He’s a full participant in practice, but NHL.com’s Jeff Miller said he has not yet been medically cleared for a return to regular game action.
