PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A couple of the Pens injured starters are moving closer to playing as the Pens host Game 4 tonight at 7p leading the Rangers two-games-to-one.
Goalie Tristan Jarry skated for the second time in three days. Before the game on Monday he took shots from Pens goalie coach Andy Chiodo. Pens Head Coach Sullivan said 'he continues to make progress on the ice'. Jarry has been out since breaking his foot against the Islanders April 14.
Louis Domingue makes the start again in net with 23-year-old Alex D'Orio backing him up.
Forward Rickard Rakell, injured on a hard hit early in Game 1, practiced in a non-contact fashion. He will not play Monday.
First pairing defenseman Brian Dumoulin will not return on Monday and is not yet skating.
The line combinations remained the same as Game Three with Brian Boyle on the fourth line and forward Drew O'Connor not getting line rushes in morning practice. Probably shouldn't expect any changes for the game, if anything defenseman Nathan Beaulieu would seem the closest to replacing anyone. Beaulieu, acquired at the trade deadline while injured, has not appeared in a Pens game yet.
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Danton Heinen-Evgeni Malkin-Kasperi Kapanen
Jason Zucker-Jeff Carter-Brock McGinn
Brian Boyle-Teddy Blueger-Evan Rodrigues
Mike Matheson-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-John Marino
Mark Friedman-Chad Ruhwedel
Push back
Every game is a big game, but when you are down 2-1, the Pens know the Rangers will be pushing this evening.
"I think we have to focus on our game and trying to get to our game as early as we can as often as we can," Sullivan said. "I think the starts are important. We have to get excited about the opportunity in front of us tonight. We have to hit the reset button, this is a new game. We have to be ready to play. It all starts with a mindset and an attitude.
"We need to have a big start," said Pens forward Jason Zucker. "Obviously last game we came out and had a good start. They are going to want to do the same thing. For us, it's about using the crowd to our advantage and trying to get a big start and get after them."
Numbers
· Historically game fours at home haven't been kind, the Pens are 11-14. Of course, having a Game Four at home means you are the lower seed.
· All-time the Pens are 13-6 all-time at home against the Rangers in the playoffs.
· A win on Monday and Sullivan becomes the all-time winningest head coach in Pens playoff history with 44 (passing Dan Bylsma).
· Sidney Crosby is one assist away from tying Doug Gilmour for sixth on the NHL's all-time playoff list. He is two away from Nicklas Lidstrom for fifth.
· Only Jean Beliveau has more playoff points against the Rangers than Crosby. Beliveau had 28, Sid with 27.
· Evgeni Malkin is one goal away from tying Mario Lemieux for most playoff power-play goals with 29.
