You can blame the Olympics as much as anything for the challenges the Penguins have faced since the start of February, both for forcing them to play eleven games without Sidney Crosby and for the packed schedule that hasn’t allowed them to rest up, but all of the NHL is dealing with injuries and the same cramped schedules.
After Sunday’s loss to Carolina, coach Dan Muse gave the team the day off yesterday. They’ll gather for morning skate today and then tonight will face the top team in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche at PPG Paints Arena. The Pens upset the Avalanche last week in Colorado, 7-2.
The Pens still hold the second spot in the NHL Metro Division standings with 86 points, one more than the Blue Jackets and Islanders. Columbus skates at Philadelphia tonight. The Islanders host Chicago.
Faceoff tonight is shortly after seven o’clock. The airtime on 92.5 FM U92 is six.
