“The Injuries Keep Piling Up for the Pens”

Welcome to Toronto! Tonight the Pens will battle the James Reimer-less Maple Leafs without center Jordan Staal.

Ben Lovejoy joked about the fall of Cardboard Brooks Orpik, stating “The injuries keep piling up for the Pens.” I’m sure at the time he had no idea it would once again reach an absolutely ridiculous level…again.

Head Coach Dan Bylsma confirmed after the Pens practice today at the Air Canada Centre that Staalsy did not make the trip to Toronto and sustained an injury when he collided with John Tavares during Thursday’s game against the Islanders.

"It's lower body and day-to-day," Bylsma said. "He wasn't going to play in this game, which is why he's not here. ... I don't that concern at this time (that it will be long term). Well see returning to practice on Monday."

Brooks Orpik returned. Geno returned, was out again, returned again. Sidney Crosby is still out (but apparently very close to returning). Zbynek Michalek is out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. Dustin Jeffrey returned.

The good news is, Staal won’t be out long. Tonight, Mark Letestu will get some ice time, after being a healthy scratch the previous three games. Letestu’s performance this season in the 8 games he has played in has been less than stellar. Tonight is a big chance for him to make his way back into the line-up as a regular, alternating with Richard Park.

Thankfully, with Geno back in the line-up, James Neal will be centered by Geno and not Letestu. This is not a slight against Letestu’s playing ability. They simply are not compatible line-mates. In the game against Buffalo, he was swapped with Park in the second period, placing Park on the first line with Steve Sullivan and Neal.

Other game notes:

1. Brent Johnson will be in goal tonight.

2. James Neal will be facing Phil Kessel, who he has been evenly pacing in goals.

3. Nealer’s only career hat-trick is against the Leafs on December 23, 2008 in his rookie year with the Dallas Stars. Maybe lightning will strike twice?

Let’s Go Pens!

Contact me:
Twitter: @Letangueray
email: snwats58@gmail.com