PITTSBURGH — NBC has dubbed Wednesday its “rivalry night”, yet isn’t broadcasting from PPG Arena tonight when the Blue Jackets take on the Penguins.

NBC's loss.

Although Columbus coach John Tortorella feels the two teams need to play in the postseason a few more times to get that true hatred flowing, there’s little doubt something is brewing.

“You can see it developing and, quite honestly, I don’t like the team,” Tortorella said Wednesday morning before the two Metropolitan Division rivals clash here for the second time in a week.

“I say that not in a personal way, but it’s a team we want to beat. Maybe I’m defining that this is a rivalry, I don’t know. It’s a great building; we respect them, this is a great team we’re playing against. But you have to have a bit of an edge to play against them, and I think that’s how we’re going into it.”

What don’t you like about the Penguins, coach?

“Oh, a lot of things,” Tortorella said. “But I’m not going to get into that.”

Last week’s game — won 3-2 in a shootout by the two-time defending Cup champs — had plenty of intrigue. And plenty of bad blood flowing.

There were fights between the likes of Lukas Sedlak and Ryan Reaves, Nick Foligno and Evgeni Malkin while Sidney Crosby found himself in the middle of some scrums, as well.

Expect more of the same after a three-day Christmas break?

“I’m sure it will be, yeah,” Foligno said. “We’re obviously teams who have a lot of emotion toward each other so it will be a good game to get us back into the swing of things after Christmas.”

Added Reaves: “They like throwing the body around and we have to play the same game. I expect it to be just like last time.”

Lineup changes

With Alexander Wennberg (back) and Cam Atkinson (foot) out for at least a month, the Blue Jackets are giving an extended look to Sonny Milano, Jordan Schroeder and Tyler Motte.

Milano will open on a third line with Sedlak and Matt Calvert; Motte and Schroeder join Markus Hannikainen on the fourth.

“It’s part of the league,” Tortorella said. “Injuries are part of the game, next man up. We’re going to go play.”

For Milano, this is his chance to grab a spot on this team and run with it. Milano has played in 28 of the 37 games so far, but has spent more time in Cleveland than he would probably like.

“This is pretty big,” Milano said. “Guys are missing so that’s more ice time for other guys. I’m just trying to get the best of it.”

Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will not play tonight.

Werenski may return Friday

Defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) skated with his teammates on Wednesday but will not play. If he practices Thursday here in Pittsburgh, he could be back Friday in Ottawa or Sunday against the Lightning.

“He’s day-to-day,” Tortorella said without adding anything more.

Werenski declined to comment except to say he had fun in Michigan over the break.

grichards@dispatch.com

@GeorgeRichards