The Columbus Blue Jackets will probably end up missing the playoffs at this point, but they have the opportunity tonight to make matters worse for their 2014 playoff combatants, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh got off to a 26-6-4 start, but has shown significant cracks in its armor over the last couple months with its 10-10-5 run. At this point, the Penguins have slid to third place in the Metropolitan Division and are in danger of falling further.
Injuries have certainly been a factor in Pittsburgh, but Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist, and Sidney Crosby have also been underperforming lately. The Penguins need them to play a leading role in putting the team back on the right path and a convincing win against a challenging opponent in Columbus would be a great start.
The contest will start at 7:00 p.m. ET and air on NBCSN, but you can also stream it on to NBC Sports Live Extra.
Here are some related links:
NHL on NBCSN: Penguins host Blue Jackets
Rutherford wants to add a goal-scorer, in case Crosby and Malkin ‘get shut down’
Penguins let emotions get the better of them in loss to Capitals
Kekalainen ‘worried’ about Murray’s development after three injury-plagued years