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Vitale, Kennedy to draw in for Pens; Martinek likely for Isles

JoeVitale

Looks as though the lineups for tonight’s tilt between the Pens and Isles are coming into shape.

Joe Vitale and Tyler Kennedy appear likely to suit up for the Penguins, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Neither Vitale nor Kennedy has played this series -- instead, head coach Dan Bylsma has used the likes of Tanner Glass, Jussi Jokinen and Beau Bennett, all three of whom look to be healthy scratches for Game 5.

“I’m excited to get back out there,” Vitale told the Post-Gazette. “I [hope to bring] a lot of speed, a lot of tenacity, a lot of grit around the net.”

As for the Isles, they’re primed to give Radek Martinek his postseason debut.

New York had a problem to solve on its blueline after Andrew MacDonald -- who was averaging over 23 minutes per contest -- suffered a broken hand in Game 4, knocking him out of the playoffs.

It appears Martinek will be the solution. For now.

The 36-year-old Czech hasn’t appeared in the playoffs since 2004, but did play in 13 games for the Isles this season, scoring three goals while averaging over 16 minutes per game.