The Penguins start the final week of the regular season with back-to-back games on the road at Philadelphia.
The Pens are in sole possession of first place in the NHL East, two points ahead of Washington, with four games left on the schedule. The Capitals, however, have a game in hand and the opportunity to pick up those two points.
After sweeping two from the Capitals over the weekend, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised the work of assistant coach Todd Reirden, who has turned the defense into a solid six-man rotation.
Sullivan says one of the best aspects of this Penguins team is they play with speed, and not just foot speed.
Defenseman Mike Matheson’s status is unknown after he was struck in the face by a puck in the second period of Saturday’s game in Washington. He did not return after leaving the ice.
The game tonight might also feature the return of center Evgeni Malkin, who has missed the last 23 games with a lower body injury. Malkin was playing his best hockey of the season when he went down after colliding knee-to-knee with Boston defenseman Jarred Tinordi. The Penguins are 16-5-2 in his absence.
Airtime tonight for the Penguins and Flyers is 6:00 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel.
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