Pens closing in on Caps despite injuries

The Washington Capitals have been at the top of the tree for a while in the league and since the deadline many have named them as their Stanley Cup finalist from the East but since then they have slumped and slowly but surely the Penguins and the Blue Jackets are catching up with them. This is despite the Penguins suffering constant injuries to top players.

The Penguins have now won their last five in a row following their victory over Vancouver last night. They're on a Western Canadian road trip and have just the red hot Calgary Flames next but have now beaten Tampa, Buffalo, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver in a row.

Pittsburgh have faced injury problems as mentioned with the biggest impact being felt on their defence which currently sees Trevor Daley, Kris Letang and Olli Maatta out. Maatta and Daley are out long term, until the play offs start whilst Letang's status is unknown. Forwards haven't escaped scot free with Hagelin the latest to be ruled out, for four weeks. The Penguins have only just got Conor Sheary back from injury and Bryan Rust is still out.

As I have mentioned before Crosby has been very hit and miss in 2017 but rebounded with a strong game with two late assists and nine shots in the game with his hobbit line re-united. He is snake bitten right and if he can kick on then he could still win both the Art Ross and Rocket Richard but he needs a good run of a few games. Malkin of course could still win both but with Hagelin out now he is stuck with Kunitz which isn't good.

Going forward the Penguins have a much softer schedule compared to Washington with Calgary and the  Senators the only two play off teams in their next 8 games. Meanwhile the Capitals have to finish their California trip tonight and then have to face the Wild and Blue Jackets in the next five along with the in form Calgary. Interesting to the end.