PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins head into the final weekend of the regular season fighting for their playoff lives.
The Penguins have sputtered down the stretch. Pittsburgh is just 3-9-2 in its last 14 games but can assure itself of a ninth straight postseason berth with wins over the New York Islanders on Friday and the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Center Evgeni Malkin said Thursday he still believes in the team and thinks the Penguins will be in the playoffs. Pittsburgh blew a chance to lock up a spot on Tuesday
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby says Pittsburgh has played well at times during its current four-game losing streak and simply needs to put together 60 solid minutes.