The Penguins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to PPG Paints Arena, hoping to put together two consecutive wins after beating Carolina on Tuesday. They’ll play the Blue Jackets tonight in Pittsburgh and Saturday night in Columbus.
Sidney Crosby needs six more points in the final eleven games to reach nineteen straight seasons scoring a point per game, all since doing it in his rookie season. He would tie Wayne Gretzky as the only players to average a point per game in 19 straight seasons. Coach Mike Sullivan says it’s a measure of the man.
Evgeni Malkin has averaged a point per game for 15 straight seasons. With 53 points so far this season, that streak will be broken. Mario Lemieux also had 15 straight seasons scoring a point per game.
Bryan Rust has been a key part of helping Crosby reach for the milestone. Sullivan says Rust has been a real team leader for the Pens this year.
The coach likes the infusion of energy that came with the insertion of Jonathan Gruden and Sam Poulin in the lineup on Tuesday. He says they gave the team a jolt.
The status of forward Reilly Smith for tonight is uncertain. He missed practice yesterday to be with his wife, who is expecting their second child. Tonight’s game faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. The pregame airs on 92.5 FM U92 at 6.
