Faceoff Factor

Blurbs From The 'Burgh: Crosby Skates

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 20, 01:14 PM | Hype this story!

Crosby Skates, But Not Ready

According to media outlets in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will be without the services of forward Sidney Crosby until after the Easter holiday.

“He’s not going to play this weekend,” coach Michel Therrien said to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He’s going to be on the ice [today], with the conditioning coach [Mike Kadar]. That’s the first step.”

While the frequent setbacks are somewhat concerning, Crosby said last week that if this was the playoffs, he would be on the ice, and Therrien confirmed that the goal is to get Crosby as close to 100 percent as possible before the post-season.

“The most important thing for us is that he’s ready for the playoffs. At this point, we have to make sure he’s going to be ready.”

Russian To The Finish

With nine games remaining for the Penguins, forward Evgeni Malkin as a tall order ahead of him if he hopes to win the scoring race.

Malkin, who has 97 points, sits five points behind fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin, who was held scoreless in Washington’s shutout loss to Chicago.

The positive side of the story is that Ovechkin has two fewer games remaining than Malkin, giving the Penguins’ forward some time to gain ground.

As it stands now, if Malkin continues his season’s pace over the next nine games, he will reach 109 points; however, if Ovechkin can continue his pace, he will reach 112 points.

Home Malone

While forward Ryan Malone clearly would like to stay in Pittsburgh, negotiations for a new contract have been put on hold.

According to the Post-Gazette, general manager Ray Shero and Malone’s agent Mike Liut have had preliminary discussions, but don’t plan on accomplishing anything until the season ends.

Many fans and media members have speculated that Malone could run to the highest bidder this summer, while others suggest a hometown discount is forthcoming.

Malone would not commit one way or another.

“Obviously, we have a great team here, and I’d love to be part of that for many years,” he said. “We just have to wait and see what happens.”

Shero added that, while Malone’s career year could serve to boost his stature as a free agent, the focus remains to win the Stanley Cup, regardless of what might happen this summer.

“When he scores a goal or sets up a goal or gets in a fight, I don’t sit there and say, ‘Ah, why did you do that?’” Shero said. “We’re all thinking the same thing.”

Conked Out

As was written here at Faceoff Factor yesterday, Marc-Andre Fleury’s solid play since returning from injury in late February has been spectacular, while Ty Conklin’s play has been poor, at best.

The result could see Fleury slid into the starting role as the playoffs inch closer.

“Right now I really like the way Fleury’s playing,” Therrien said to Mike Prisuta of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “If you want an answer now, Fleury’s played really well, and it’s good for our team. He’s really solid.”

Conklin, meanwhile, acknowledged that his performances of late aren’t up to the standard he set in the early part of the year and realizes he must perform better to earn starts.

“We’re on the same page. I don’t think I was on top of my game, certainly. I don’t think my rebound control was very good, and I don’t think I was tracking the puck very well. I wasn’t challenging shooters very well.”

Therrien added that he plans to play both goaltenders during the next nine games with ambitions of keeping both sharp. However, he was quick to reiterate that, “Performance dictates who’s going to play.”