For the second game in a row, the Pittsburgh Penguins need a regulation win to secure a position in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Despite losing 4-3 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, the Penguins got some help on Thursday night as the Florida Panthers upset the Boston Bruins, knocking the B’s out of a playoff spot.
The Penguins have been provided another opportunity to clinch a playoff berth despite losing four consecutive games, but it won’t be an easy victory. The Penguins will be forced to play with only five defensemen for the fifth time over the last few weeks.
THE 4077: Rookie Derrick Pouliot (upper body) will miss tonight’s games, so the Penguins will skate with 13 forwards and five defensemen tonight. Pouliot injured himself while attempting a slap shot against Ottawa.
Right-winger Steve Downie, who missed Tuesday’s game with an upper body injury, will make his return to the lineup
Defensemen Christian Ehrhoff (upper body) is still skating on his own before practice. Kris Letang (concussion) has not resumed on-ice workouts.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Islanders have already clinched their post-season berth, so they have little besides positioning to play for tonight. Forwards Matt Martin and Frans Nielsen will miss their second game with undisclosed injuries.
The Islanders hold the tiebreaker with the Penguins via a 3-1 record against Pittsburgh throughout the regular season.
SCORING RACE: In addition to the Penguins and Islanders battling for playoff position, Islanders captain John Tavares and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby are in the thick of the NHL scoring race.
Tavares and Crosby are tied with Dallas Stars left-winger Jamie Benn with 83 points. Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers is two points back with 81 and Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has 80 points.
Despite Crosby playing the fewest games (75), it’s Tavares that holds the tiebreaker amongst the three currently at the top due to his 36 goals scored.
MINOR MATTERS: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (41-23-7, 2nd AHL East) clinched an AHL playoff berth on Wednesday with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Matt Murray made 30 saves for his 11th shutout of the season. Kasperi Kapanen scored a goal and an assist in his North American pro debut.
The Wheeling Nailers (34-33-2, 5th in ECHL North) won a key game against rival Reading Royals on Wednesday. Frank Palazzese made 46 saves. Derek Army and Josh Archibald scored in the 2-1 victory.
The Nailers host the Elmira Jackals at WesBanco Arena tonight at 7:35 p.m. They are two points behind the fourth place Cincinnati Cyclones with a game in hand.
Photo credit: CBS Sports
