The Penguins are on the road at Detroit tonight, with just nine games left on the regular season schedule. The Pens hold a three–point lead over the Florida Panthers for the final Wild Card spot in the playoffs but they dropped to three points behind the Islanders last night, as New York shelled New Jersey, 5-1.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan says while other teams may be in more comfortable positions preparing for the playoffs, the Penguins don’t have that luxury.
At practice yesterday, defenseman Jeff Petry was full-go and Sullivan termed him a “game-time decision” to return from his undisclosed injury. Jeff Carter was absent for personal reasons and is expected back for tonight. Forward Nick Bonino, who is recovering from surgery to repair a lacerated kidney, skated briefly yesterday before practice, his first time on the ice since suffering the injury on March 9th.
Casey DeSmith should be in goal again tonight, with Tristan Jarry still out with an undisclosed injury, which Sullivan said was a new injury suffered last week.
Sullivan said the Penguins seem to like playing in front of DeSmith, whose energy and competitiveness drive his teammates.
With 996 career games played, defenseman Kris Letang is closing in on becoming the second Penguins player this season to top 1,000. Evgeni Malkin played in his 1,000th game earlier this year, and Sidney Crosby topped the mark two years ago.
Sullivan says Letang’s accomplishment is extra special because he has had to overcome so much, including two strokes, a hole in his heart, and neck surgery.
Tonight’s game faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. The airtime on U 92.5 FM and streaming audio at U92radio.com is at 6.
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