Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both full practice participants yesterday as the Penguins prepped for tonight’s key Metro Division clash with the Islanders in New York. Crosby left Thursday’s game in Ottawa after taking one shift in the second period and missed Saturday’s game against Dallas. Malkin has missed three games since taking a slap shot off his hand against Carolina a week ago.
Crosby is with the team on the trip to New York, but the Pens were not sure about Malkin.
Crosby is not sure if he will play tonight, but he’d like to, given the importance of the game.
The Islanders lead the Penguins by one point in the race for second place in the Metro Division. Crosby says the Pens will fight for the two points whether he and Malkin play or not.
Coach Dan Muse says the Penguins have put themselves into position to make a run for the playoffs.
Muse says the Islanders will bring a lot of offensive pressure in the Penguins’ zone.
The Penguins schedule is packed this week, with five games in seven days. After playing in Long Island tonight, they’re back home tomorrow against Detroit, then in Tampa Bay on Thursday, wrapping up the week with a scheduling oddity…back-to-back home games Saturday and Sunday against the Florida Panthers.
Airtime tonight for Pens/Islanders is six o’clock on 92.5 FM U92, with faceoff shortly after seven.
