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Penguins hope to have Crosby, Malkin healthy against Rangers

Nov 25, 2006 - 3:31 PM NY Rangers (12-9-1) at Pittsburgh (10-8-3) 7:30 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have had trouble scoring without Sidney Crosby. Now they may have to press on without rookie Evgeni Malkin as well.

The injury-riddled Penguins look to bounce back from a pair of losses Saturday when they host the New York Rangers.

The team's leading scorer, Crosby has missed Pittsburgh's last two games with a groin injury. He participated in the team's pregame skate Friday but still was sidelined for the Penguins' 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders.

Malkin attempted to pick up the slack offensively, scoring Pittsburgh's lone goal midway through the third period. It was the team-leading 11th tally for the Russian sensation, who left with an apparent shoulder injury after receiving a hard check from Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt late in the contest.

The Penguins hope to have Crosby and Malkin back on the ice Saturday for their matchup with the Rangers, who have won two straight thanks to some stellar play from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Two days after turning aside 27 shots in a 4-1 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Lundqvist made 34 saves to record his first shutout of the season in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr tallied twice and Brendan Shanahan added his team-leading 17th goal for New York, which is 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.

Jagr, who won a Hart Trophy and five Art Ross Trophies in 11 seasons with the Penguins, leads the Rangers with 34 points.