Pittsburgh Penguins Face Make-or-Break Week

On March 30, the Pittsburgh Penguins are staring down a make or break week, fighting to hold

onto their Eastern Conference playoff spot with five, gains from March 30 to April 5.

Sydney Crosby's out with a lower body injury, of Guinea-Malcon sidelined by an upper body

issue, both listed day to day after missing that 6-3.

Loss against the Dallas stars.

Their absences expose some real offence of gaps, especially in transitioning the puck,

and now the penguins sit at 88 points, tied with, Columbus and just one back of the islanders

at 89 in a jammed up metro division.

Fans are feeling the heat as every game feels like playoffs, Monday's four-point battle

at home, against the islanders, Tuesday versus the Redwings.

Thursday, at the lightning, then a weekend back-to-back with the Panthers.

Defensive wolves are piling on too, leaking about four and a half goals per game over the

last seven, even with Eric Carlson and his partner Shining, while Chris Lattang's duo

struggles big time.

Rookie Rucker McGroity got called up for some fresh energy and physicality to feel devoid,

putting pressure on the middle six forwards to step up, and test the depth.

If Crosby and Malcolm don't skate back soon, and the D doesn't tighten, this gauntlet

could sink Pittsburgh season before it even hits the postseason, stretch.

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