MATCH: Penguins vs. Jets
TIME: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: ROOT Sports
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
The Pens and Jets meet for the 1st time this season … The Pens have won 15 straight games against Winnipeg at home … Pittsburgh is 5-0-2 since the All-Star break … Sidney Crosby's quest for 1,000 career points inched closer with an assist against Vancouver on Tuesday. Crosby sits at 999, just 1 point away. He will reach the historic milestone with his next point … Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup against Vancouver and posted 2 points (1G-1A) after missing the previous 7 games with a lower-body injury … Matt Murray became the 4th-fastest goalie to reach 30 wins in his career (44 games played) … Defenseman Kris Letang will be playing in his 600th career NHL game tonight … Pittsburgh injuries: Conor Sheary (upper-body, 6 games missed); Carl Hagelin (concussion, 4); Bryan Rust (upper-body, 2) … Winnipeg beings a 4-game Eastern Conference road trip tonight against Pittsburgh … Rookie sensation Patrik Laine netted his 3rd hat trick of the season on Tuesday against Dallas. He's the 1st rookie since Eric Lindros and Teemu Selanne in 1992-93 to post 3 tricks … Mark Scheifele assisted on all 3 of Laine's goals. Scheifele's 45 even-strength points are tied for the most in the NHL (Connor McDavid) … Winnipeg injuries: Tyler Myers (lower-body, 43); Marko Dano (lower-body, 21); Ondrej Pavelec (lower-body, 3); Toby Enstrom (lower-body, 1).
MORNING SKATE REPORT:
\The Pens had a full compliment of players at their morning skate.
\The Pens used the following workflow...
Kunitz-Crosby-Guentzel
Wilson-Malkin-Hornqvist
Cullen-Bonino-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Rowney-Fehr
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Daley
Cole-Schultz-Ruhwedel
\Marc-Andre Fleury worked the starter's net. He will get the start tonight.
\Conor Sheary (upper-body) is skating with the team's skills coach and making "significant progress," according to coach Sullivan.
*Carl Hagelin (wearing a normal white jersey) engaged in contact during and after the morning skate, another sign of his progress. His next step would be as a game-time decision.
