Blue Jackets at Penguins
THE STORY: The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting hot at the right time of the season and will look for their third straight win on Sunday afternoon when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is the only meeting between the clubs this season. The Penguins hold a 4-2-0 home record in the overall series between the two teams, but the Blue Jackets skated to a 4-1 win in the most recent meeting in March 2011.
TV: 1 p.m. ET. FS-Ohio, ROOT
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (18-36-7): This game could mark an end of an era in Columbus. With the NHL trade deadline on Monday and GM Scott Howson’s phone apparently ringing off the hook, this could be the last game that Rick Nash, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, plays as a Blue Jacket. With the firesale under way – as stars Jeff Carter and Antoine Vermette were traded away last week – the lowly Blue Jackets are playing out a dismal season. Tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Blue Jackets have a league-low seven road wins this season. They will look for a boost with the debut of defenseman Jack Johnson, who was acquired when Carter was sent to the Los Angeles Kings.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (35-21-5): All-Star Evgeni Malkin recorded his ninth career hat trick on Saturday to lead Pittsburgh to an 8-1 romp over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Malkin, leading the NHL with 77 points, is among the top candidates for the Hart Trophy as league MVP. His play has inspired a wealth of offense as the Penguins have averaged 3.7 goals per game during their recent 14-4-1 stretch. The Penguins have also won eight of their last nine home games.
OVERTIME:
1. The Blue Jackets claimed center Darryl Boyce off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. He is not expected to play on Sunday.
2. R.J. Umberger has two goals and two assists in his last four games for Columbus.
3. Malkin has at least one point (17 goals, 16 assists) in 15 of his last 17 home games.