The Penguins return to the ice tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, three days after blowing a two-goal third period lead in a costly loss to the New York Islanders. With twelve games left to play, the Pens have seven teams and eight points between them and the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, which is currently held by Montreal. Columbus is in the mix…the third team out, three points behind the Canadiens.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan admires the Blue Jackets for their response to the death last summer of star forward Johnny Gaudreau.
Sullivan is trying to give young prospects a chance to grow their games at the NHL level, but he says in the end, he will always put the team on the ice that he believes give the Penguins the best chance to win.
Injured forward Tommy Novak and defensemen Ryan Shea and P.O. Joseph skated before practice yesterday, Novak for the first time since getting hurt on March 9th. Forward Emil Bemstrom returned to practice after missing Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed ailment.
Tonight’s game faces off shortly after 7 o’clock on 92.5 FM, U92. The pregame airs at 6:00.
