The Penguins are just 4 points behind the Atlantic Division leading New York Rangers. With 3 games at hand, the Pens sit in a great spot to make a move at the lead. The only problem is that the Atlantic Division is arguably the best in hockey, and the Pens are even in points with the Philadelphia Flyers and just 4 ahead of tonight's opponent, the New Jersey Devils.
The Pens will play New Jersey tonight at 7 o'clock and we expect the game to be a battle; a battle it will have to be for the Pens to win. The team has hit a bump in the road recently and has lost a couple of games that looked like they'd end up in the win column. While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are on top of the world, Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke have struggled since losing Tyler Kennedy. Neither Chris Minard or Janne Pesonen has seemed to fit the role that Teagues did and he will be missed dearly until his return.
Speaking of injuries, Philippe Boucher looks like he will return to the lineup soon. Boucher returned to practice and seems optimistic that he will be playing in no time. Getting Boucher back would be a boost to the defense that lost Hal Gill for 2 or more weeks. Not that Ben Lovejoy played poorly in Gill's absence, but the Penguins have some of the best defensive talent in the NHL and it would be nice to have them healthy.
Be sure to watch the Pens tonight on FSN Pittsburgh or listen to them on 105.9 The X.
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