The Penguins and Capitals meet tonight at PPG Paints Arena in the second of a two-game series. Pittsburgh is 5-0-0 this season and coming off a 6-3 win over the Caps on Sunday.
After Pittsburgh won 6-3 Sunday night, the Pens were back on the ice for a full practice yesterday and again Marcus Pettersson took part with no restrictions. He could be activated from injured reserve in time for the game after having sat out since January 19th, when he was injured against the Caps. Normally teamed with John Marino on the second defensive pairing, Pettersson skated on the third pairing with Cody Ceci Saturday and yesterday.
Coach Mike Sullivan said yesterday that the Pens’ top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust are playing so well in all phases of the game that their offensive proficiency makes other teams work so hard, they have no time for their own offense.
Geno Malkin’s ice time was cut to only about 14 minutes on Sunday, but Sullivan said that was due to game situations more than anything else.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry had his best game of the year on Sunday, despite giving up three goals to the Capitals’ high-powered offense. He said that was a confidence-builder.
Jarry says the Washington power play is potent, especially when everyone knows that they are trying to set up Alexander Ovechkin for the one-timer from the right circle.
Penguins’ right wing Bryan Rust was named the NHL’s third star of the week for his three goals and two assists in two wins. The number-one star was Columbus forward Cam Atkinson. Number two was former Pens’ goaltender Marc Andre Fleury.
Airtime for the Pens and Capitals on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel tonight is 6:00.
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