Game Preview: Pens-Caps (Game 4)

MATCH: Penguins vs. Capitals

SERIES: Second Round, 2-1 PIT

TIME: 7:30 p.m. EST

PLACE: PPG Paints Arena

TV: NBCSN

RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Pens will be without captain Sidney Crosby, who was diagnosed with a concussion following a pair of hits from Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Matt Niskanen in Game 3 … Pittsburgh holds a 2-1 series lead after the Capitals pulled out a 3-2 overtime win in Game 3 … Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz led a late third-period comeback in Game 3. The two each scored a goal and picked up 2 points in the final 2 minutes of regulation to force the overtime session … Malkin leads the Pens and the NHL in playoff scoring with 15 points (4G-11A) … Rookie Jake Guentzel leads the league in postseason goals with 7 … Phil Kessel has an NHL-best +11 this postseason. His 12 points (4G-8A) rank 2^nd in the NHL behind Malkin … Pittsburgh injuries: Crosby (concussion), Kris Letang (herniated disc), Matt Murray (lower-body), Conor Sheary (concussion), Chad Ruhwedel (upper-body) …Nicklas Backstrom had another 2-point game (1G-1A) in Game 3 and leads the Caps with 10 points (4G-6A) ... Kevin Shattenkirk became just the 3rd defenseman in Caps history to score an overtime playoff goal, joining Rod Langway and Mike Green ... Braden Holtby bounced back from being pulled in Game 3 to stop 28 of 30 shots in a Game 4 win. He improved to 12-2 in games following being pulled … Washington injuries: None.

MORNING SKATE REPORT:

*The Pens held an optional skate. Several Pens took the option off, including Matt Cullen, Brian Dumoulin, Chris Kunitz, Carl Hagelin, Ron Hainsey and Evgeni Malkin.