The Penguins went into the 2014-15 campaign hoping they could avoid another disappointing postseason. With roughly a week remaining in the regular season, there’s still no guarantee that Pittsburgh will even make the playoffs. Sure, the odds are in their favor, but after going a mediocre 20-19-7 since Dec. 20, Pittsburgh has been reduced to a Wild Card spot and is just three points ahead of the surging Ottawa Senators.
The Penguins situation could get significantly worse if Philadelphia beats them this afternoon.
Pittsburgh will get Evgeni Malkin back from an undisclosed injury today, but now Steve Downie is day-to-day with an upper-body problem, per the Penguins’ Twitter feed.
The contest will start at 12:30 p.m. ET and air on NBC. Alternatively, you can stream it using NBCSports.com’s Live Extra:
Here are some related links:
NHL on NBC: Flyers get chance to push Penguins towards disaster
Pens bring ’14 first-rounder Kapanen to North America
Foligno, Jackets deliver blow to Pens’ playoff hopes
Video: Flyers trounce slumping Penguins on Rivalry Night
Johnston: "I wouldn't say there is a sense of panic, it's more a sense of, 'Hey, we've gotta take care of our own destiny here.' "
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 5, 2015
The Penguins' 4th line: Craig Adams 0 goals in 59 games, Max Lapierre 0 goals in 31 games, Beau Bennett 0 goals in 29 games. #problem
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 5, 2015