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NHL Playoffs: Pens practice update: Ehrhoff back, Pouliot missing

The Pittsburgh Penguins are practicing Tuesday gearing up for the start of their playoff series against the New York Rangers on Thursday.

By Hooks Orpik
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

News and notes from Pittsburgh Penguins practice:

  • Good news in the form of Christian Ehrhoff, who participated in practice with the team today, a day after joining them on the ice for Monday's optional practice. Ehrhoff was injured 3 weeks ago to the day on 3/24, getting him back would obviously be a big boost for the Penguins, but it remains to be seen if/when he will progress for game action.
  • Bad news in the form of Derrick Pouliot: he wasn't at practice. The young defenseman has been day-to-day since getting hurt 1 week ago to today in a 4/7 game against Ottawa. At this point, seems like a longshot that Pouliot will be ready for Game 1.
  • However, in more good news, the Pens won't be short-handed, at least. Brian Dumoulin and Scott Harrington were recalled and practiced, and since it's the playoffs the Pens will have 6 defensemen one way or another.
  • With Pouliot out the Pens top power play was Evgeni Malkin joining Paul Martin on the point and David Perron , Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist down low. The team didn't want to have Malkin on a point, and 4 forwards on the top unit, but they don't have much of a choice with Pouliot and Kris Letang on the bench.
  • A variety of players rotated on the #2 PP, with the only defensemen being Ehrhoff and Taylor Chorney. While this may be nothing - guys like Martin and Malkin can play almost 2 minutes, it's gotta be a good sign for Ehrhoff to get this action.
  • As Jenn Menendez of the PG pointed out, the team spent a lot of time focusing on both their PP units. This is a great sign too, as a productive power play will be a key for the Penguins trying to beat the Rangers.
  • Another new face was the freshly recalled Scott Wilson. Wilson, a rookie, only has 1 NHL game in his career (and he got hurt halfway through it, at that). However Wilson is one of the top scorers in the minors for Wilkes-Barre (19g, 22a in 55 games) and has a little jump in his step. Could the Pens make a big switch up for their lineup for the games?
  • Doesn't look like it, based on lines today:

  • Weird to see Adams on the 4th line when he was the 13th forward last time out. No line rushes for Nick Spaling , who was injured in a game last week, but sucked it up and played. It would be a pretty safe assumption that he would do the same for playoffs, bumping Adams likely back to the press box.
  • It will remain to be seen how Spaling goes, though.
  • If you're into logistics and schedules: the Pens are scheduled to practice tomorrow at Consol again at 11:15 AM. Following practice they will be heading off east to New York City ahead of the game on Thursday.

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