Pittsburgh will return home, where it is 19-2-2, after playing twice on the road. The Penguins will try to win their fourth straight game after losing their previous three, and are 16-4-2 since the beginning of December. Pittsburgh defeated the Washington Capitals 8-7 in overtime at home on Monday before winning consecutive road games, 4-1 against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday and 7-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. "We've certainly been encouraged with the way our team is trending right now," coach Mike Sullivan said, "because I think we're becoming a much more difficult team to play against. I think we're getting contributions throughout our lineup." That surge has come without defensive leader Kris Letang, week-to-week with a lower-body injury sustained against the Red Wings on Jan. 14. In Letang's defenseman Justin Schultz has continued to produce, with six assists in his past three games. Schultz is fourth on the Penguins in scoring with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists), behind forwards Evgeni Malkin (52 points), Sidney Crosby (51) and Phil Kessel (44). Schultz's defense partner, Trevor Daley, has one goal and three assists in his past three games. With fourth-line center Matt Cullen out approximately 3-4 weeks with a foot injury, forward Eric Fehr has slotted into his spot the past two games, with one goal and one assist.
