

VERIZON GAME DAY REPORT

Here is all the news you need to know heading into tonight's game...





--Sam Kasan



PENSTV LOCKER ROOM SOUND



SIDNEY CROSBY







KRIS LETANG







SIMON DESPRES







BRIAN STRAIT









COACH BYLSMA















--Sam Kasan



QUOTES HEARD AROUND THE LOCKER ROOM(S)











--Michelle Crechiolo and Sam Kasan





INJURY UPDATE

Head coach Dan Bylsma said that Matt Niskanen will be out for 2-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.



"Our lineup will obviously be adding a defenseman tonight, which will be a game-time (decision)," Bylsma said. "Marc-Andre Fleury will be playing in the net."







--Sam Kasan



MORNING SKATE PICS





Engelland circles the back of the net





Crosby and Kunitz





Asst. equipment manager Danny "Banker" Kroll shares a laugh with Dupuis





Crosby and asst. coach Tony Granato share knowledge





Players are captivated by the black rubber





Dupuis mid-shot





Fleury stacks the pads to reject an emotionally scarred puck





Geno





Letang goes "blue steel"





--Sam Kasan



MORNING SKATE INFO

Matt Niskanen is the only Penguin not skating with the team. Simon Despres was inserted into his spot during the line rushes, a sign that he will step into the lineup for tonight's game. There were no other changes to the line combos...



Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis

Kennedy-Malkin-Neal

Cooke-Sutter-Glass

Tangradi-Vitale-Adams

(Jeffrey)



Orpik-Martin

Despres-Letang

(Engelland, Lovejoy and Bortuzzo rotated in the far end)





--Sam Kasan



GAME PREVIEW

As noted before, the Pens take on the Islanders tonight. One player to keep an eye on is John Tavares...



Tavares finally broke his 15-game NHL goalless drought that dated back to last season on Sunday against Winnipeg. It’s not like he hasn’t been contributing – the center has six assists in addition to his goal, leading the Isles with seven points – but overall, he’s had trouble readjusting back to the North American style of play after skating in Switzerland during the work stoppage. It’s been somewhat of a frustrating start for Tavares, so him finally finding the back of the net and shaking that monkey off his back is a big positive for him. And coming off a tough overtime loss to Winnipeg on Sunday, he’ll be more motivated than ever to put the team on his back and get them a needed win.



Click here for watch for in tonight's matchup...



And if you want a scouting report on the Islanders, click below and Michelle Crechiolo will give you the rundown.







--Sam Kasan



PLAYS OF THE WEEK

Every week PensTV will be highlighting the top plays from the previous week. In today's segment Dupuis gets his first power-play goal since 2006 and Orpik gives out some free candy (that means throws out some big checks for those not hip with the lingo).





--Sam Kasan



START THE DAY

The Pens hit the ice at CONSOL Energy Center for a 10:30 a.m. morning skate. The Islanders will take the ice at 11:30 a.m. for a skate of their own.



For the Pens, we will be on the lookout for defenseman Matt Niskanen. He suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday's 2-1 shootout victory at Ottawa. He didn't play after the first period and head coach Dan Bylsma said he would be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh. We hope to get an update today on his status.



Also, USA Hockey stated that they'll be making "a major announcement" at CONSOL Energy Center this afternoon in a media conference. So stay tuned for that news as well...



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We'll open the day with a happy, uplifting tune. Here's Two Door Cinema Club with "What You Know." Because everyone knows two doors is greater than one, it's mathematically proven.



Enjoy.







--Sam Kasan