The last time the Penguins played, they beat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2, as rookies Avery Hayes and Ben Kindel each scored two goals. That was on February 5th. Now, 21 days later, they return from the Olympic break to take on the New Jersey Devils, with their Olympic Golden Goal scorer Jack Hughes. And the Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby, who has been placed on injured reserve with his suspected right knee injury and is expected to miss at least four weeks.
Crosby says his return is uncertain because it’s a recovery that is hard to predict.
Crosby expects that his teammates will step up in his absence.
Rickard Rakell will center Crosby’s line. Avery Hayes took his place on the wing. Also at practice yesterday, newly-acquired defenseman Sam Girard skated with Kris Letang, who was activated from injured reserve. And hot-shooting forward Egor Chinakhov was absent to be with his wife, who gave birth to a daughter. Coach Dan Muse said Chinakhov will be on the ice tonight.
The Devils lost to Buffalo, 2-1 last night. Jack Hughes had an assist for New Jersey. Olympic gold medalist Tage Thompson scored the first goal for the Sabres.
The Penguins are second in the Metro Division, eight points behind Carolina and a single point ahead of the New York Islanders.
Airtime tonight on 92.5 FM U92 is six o’clock.
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