MATCH:Penguins vs. Flyers
TIME:8 p.m. EST
PLACE:Wells Fargo Center
TV:NBCSN
RADIO:105.9 FM, the X
5 THINGS
1.Only 1 point separates the Pens (80) and Flyers (79) in the Metro Division standings. Philadelphia does have 1 game in hand on the Pens. Both teams trail Washington (81) for the top spot in the division. The Pens are 13-6-2 in their last 21 games in Philly.
2.Evgeni Malkin recorded another 3-point game (1G-2A) against Calgary on Monday. He now has 37 goals and 82 points on the season - 4 behind NHL-leader Nikita Kucherov (86). Malkin has 23 goals and 46 points since Jan. 1, the most in the NHL in each category.
3.Phil Kessel has a career-high 49 assists. He's been lights out in overtime by leading the NHL in OT points (6) and assists (4t).
4.The Flyers are 0-2-1 in their last 3 games. Prior to that the club was on a 10-0-2. Since Dec. 4, Philadelphia has a 26-10-4 record.
5.Claude Giroux is 4th in the NHL with 78 points (23G-55A), Jakub Voracek has an NHL-leading 57 assists and Shayne Gostisbehere is 4th (tied) in the league among defensemen with 50 points (10G-40A).
INJURIES
PIT - Zach Aston-Reese (upper-body), Matt Murray (concussion).
PHI - Brian Elliott (lower-body), Michal Neuvirth (lower-body), Wayne Simmonds (upper-body).
MORNING SKATE
* The Pens held an optional morning skate at Wells Fargo Center. Notable absences were Kessel, Malkin, Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz.
