MATCH: Penguins vs. Blue Jackets
TIMES: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: ROOT Sports
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
The Pens and Jackets meet for the 3rd time this season, and 2nd in Columbus. Each team has won once at home … Pittsburgh is unbeaten (6-0-2) since the All-Star break and 10-2-2 in its last 14 contests, including a 4-3 overtime victory Thursday night against Winnipeg … Sidney Crosby posted an epic career milestone with his 1,000th career NHL point against the Jets with a 1st-period assist. He would add 2 more points, including the game-winner in overtime, for a 3-point night … Evgeni Malkin has 4 points (2G-2A) in 2 games since returning from a lower-body injury … Phil Kessel is riding a season-long 4-game goal-scoring streak (4 total), his longest such streak with the Pens … Defenseman Kris Letang played in his 600th career NHL game against Winnipeg … The Pens will be without Olli Maatta, who will be out for 6 weeks following hand surgery ... Justin Schultz also left the contest against Winnipeg. Pittsburgh has recalled Cameron Gaunce and Steve Oleksy from WBS … Pittsburgh injuries: Conor Sheary (upper-body); Bryan Rust (upper-body); Carl Hagelin (concussion) … The Blue Jackets are on game 5 of a 7-game homestand. They are 2-2 so far … Defenseman Seth Jones has 11 points (3G-8A) in his last 11 games … Brandon Dubinsky has 14 points (5G-9A) in his past 15 contests … Alexander Wennberg's 36 assists are tied for 5th in the NHL … Columbus injuries: David Clarkson (back).
MORNING SKATE REPORT:
The Pens did not hold a morning skate because of playing the night before against Winnipeg.
