Nov 14, 2009 11:59 am US/Eastern
Bruins Vs. Penguins Preview
By: Casey Shea
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Evgeni Malkin will be a game-time decision against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins will once again try and snap a losing skid when they take on the Boston Bruins at Mellon Arena Saturday night.
The Penguins are on a four-game losing streak and lost 3-0 to Boston Tuesday night on the road.
In that game, Matt Hunwick, Daniel Paille and Patrice Bergeron scored for Boston.
Marc-Andre-Fleury made 26 saves in the game, including an incredible glove save in the third period to keep the score close.
Aside from injuries to Sergei Gonchar, Tyler Kennedy, Evgeni Malkin, Max Talbot, Kris Letang and Brooks Orpik, the Penguins have not been able to put the puck in the net of late.
Before getting a first period tally in a 4-1 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, the Pens had gone almost eight full periods without a goal. They have only scored three goals during the four-game skid.
There is some good news amid all the injuries, however.
According to the Penguins official Website, Malkin is very close to returning to the lineup and could even suit up tonight.
The team has sent Chris Conner back to WIlkes-Barre, which would open a spot for Malkin on the roster.
It was announced after the morning skate today that Chris Kunitz will miss the next two weeks with a lower-body injury.
Kunitz will be replaced in the lineup by Mark Letestu who was called up this morning.
Letestu brings a little more of a scoring touch than Conner and has eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) this season in Wilkes-Barre.
Malkin remains a game-time decision, but other players are getting close to returning as well based on the timeframes given at the time of their injuries.
- Kennedy could come back any day now.
- Letang was injured on Nov. 8 and is expected to miss two weeks.
- Talbot has been cleared for contact in practice.
- Gonchar suffered a broken wrist on Oct. 21 and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
- Orpik is expected to miss the next two weeks as well.
As for tonight's game, Boston's goaltender Tim Thomas (5-6-2, 2.05 GAA, .927 save percentage) is red hot. He has a shutout streak of 172 minutes and 28 seconds, or almost three full regulation games.
Thomas is also the league leader in shutouts with three.
The Bruins lost 1-0 in a shootout on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.
Marc Savard and Milan Lucic, who missed Tuesday's game with the Pens, will also miss tonight's game.
Marc-Andre Fleury (10-6, 2.52 GAA, .904 save percentage) is expected to be in goal again for the Penguins.
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh
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Progress At Consol Energy Center
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