Pens Points: Home Ice Clinched, Let's Rest Some Guys

Good morning one and all,

The Pens won in Washington on Sidney Crosby's (who else really?) OT goal. There will be no single-season win record for Braden Holtby after all. [Washinton Post]

The Rangers and the Islanders staged the ultimate battle of attrition last night. Islanders won 3-0 but it was a pyrrhic victory given that they will now likely play the Penguins in the first round and Anders Lee is out for the remainder of the year with a fractured leg. [Sportsnet]

I like the Hurricanes, but their grubby owner is another story. Peter Karmanos has come out with a "firm" guarantee that the Canes will not become the new Nordiques. Okay then. [NBC Sports]

The Red Wings lost a 5-2 decision to the Bruins last night, allowing the Bs to stay alive in their postseason push. Even with this loss, the Wings are still likely to make the playoffs. [Detroit Free Press]

In related Red Wings news, Darren Dreger believes that Pavel Datsyuk will honor the last year of his contract with them and wait until after next season to return to his native Russia and wrap us his career there. [Today's Slapshot]

The Flyers are flyering at the right time of the year. After getting shut out in Detroit on Wednesday night, they lost in OT to the Maple Leafs at home. Oh boy. Saturday is going to be fun. [Philly.com]

Jonathan Drouin has started off well in his return to the NHL, scoring a goal in his first game back. A look at why, after all that's transpired this season, Drouin's future may still be in Tampa. [Sportsnet]

The Kings beat the Ducks 2-1 and returned to the top spot in the Pacific. The Ducks still have a game in hand, though, so this divisional race is coming down to the wire. [LA Times]