The Penguins had several players missing yesterday at practice in Cranberry. Forward Jansen Harkins was placed on injured reserve with a concussion. Forward Noel Acciari remains out with a concussion and Matt Nieto remains out after having knee surgery last month.
Two of the Pens’ “big three” are not feeling their best. Defenseman Kris Letang left the ice after about a half-hour of practice and center Evgeni Malkin skated before practice but not with his teammates. Coach Mike Sullivan said Letang is “nicked up.” Malkin was having a “maintenance day”.
After a weekend of frustrating hockey in losses to Minnesota and Winnipeg, the Penguins will play the Florida Panthers tomorrow night on home ice.
Sullivan was asked yesterday about defenseman Erik Karlsson and said he is looking better and better every day, but it’s been a season of transition for the Norris Trophy winner and he is still trying to fit in with the Penguins’ style of play.
One new Penguin who has not had much difficulty is center Lars Eller. Sullivan says the veteran is a great mentor to the young Pens and a great teammate overall.
The Penguins’ easiest path to the playoffs is the Wild Card, but they are seven points out in that race and they are nine points out of the third slot out of the Metro Division.
Captain Sidney Crosby says time is running short to make the postseason.
Crosby says the Penguins are close to breaking out of their season-long slump, but they need to pay attention to the details to get the job done.
After playing the Panthers tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, the Pens will be in Chicago on Thursday night.
