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Thursday, 08 December 2011 15:44

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

(We really wanted that headline to work. Sorry.)

Another day, another injury related development with the Penguins. This one is positive however.

Forward/enforcer Steve MacIntyre (right) may return to the lineup tonight. He was apparently taken off injured reserve today as his name no longer has the dreaded "**" next to it on the team's Web site.

Given his abilities as a fighter, MacIntyre would seem like an ideal player to face the usually rough and tumble Flyers.  If he's not available, Dan Bylsma suggested a player could be recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Regarding Sidney Crosby, Bylsma said:

"It was not a one-time incident in the game. He took a couple hits in the game and didn’t feel 100 percent after the game, so that was an indication. He went and saw Dr. (Michael) Collins the next day. His imPACT test was exactly what it was when he returned to play. Dr. Collins said there is no indication of a concussion at this point in time. After (Wednesday's) practice, he had a slight headache. He knows his body well. It’s been a long 10 months. And as a precautionary (move), he is just kind of taking tonight’s game off and through the weekend."

Crosby was not made available to reporters but in an article posted on the team's Web site, he said:

"I just want to be smart with this. It’s been a long road back and we want to err on the side of caution. I’ve taken some good hits over the past few weeks and am happy with the way my body responded … but after discussing things with doctors it was better to make sure I was cautious before returning to play.”

With Crosby unavailable, it the great Joe Vitale took his place at today's morning skate on a line with Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz. The lines and defensive pairings:

Steve Sullivan-Evgeni Malkin-James Neal
Chris Kunitz-Jordan Staal-Tyler Kennedy
Matt Cooke-Joe Vitale-Pascal Dupuis
Steve MacIntyre-Craig Adams-Arron Asham

Brooks Orpik - Robert Bortuzzo
Simon Despres - Paul Martin
Alexandre Picard - Matt Niskanen

-The team worked on the five-on-three power play today. With Crosby absent, Asham was used in the right circle in an interesting twist.

-On PG+, we talked with some of the Penguins' defensemen on how to play Jaromir Jagr.

-Speaking of rough and tumble, Deryk Engelland will miss his second consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. (PG+).

-Zbynek Michalek (head) was placed on injured reserve.

-Richard Park remains "day to day" due to an undisclosed ailment.

-Goaltender Brent Johnson did not participate in the morning skate due to "feeling under the weather," but is expected to be available tonight.

-The Flyers did not hold a morning skate or media availability. Flyers defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon will not have a disclipinary hearing with the NHL for this hit last night against Sabres forward Nathan Gerbe:

-Gerbe left the game after the hit.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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written by barrassosaysno, December 08, 2011 - 06:04 PM

Anyone aware of a trustworthy online presence for tonight's game?

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