NHL scores 2017: The Penguins just can’t stop getting injured

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be entering the playoffs once again as a Stanley Cup favorite. Their only problem? They’ve contracted the injury bug, big time.

Coming into Sunday’s game against the Flyers, Pittsburgh had nine total players missing to injury, all occurring before or after mid-Feburary. Heavy hitters Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Carl Hagelin, and Olli Maatta were absent in the 6-2 loss to their cross-state rivals.

Also missing was young forward Jake Guentzel, who has found a home on the top line with Sidney Crosby. Which makes the potential loss of Conor Sheary, Crosby’s other complement who left the game midway through the first period with a day-to-day injury, just another Sunday in the city of Pittsburgh.

The Penguins could have lost Brian Dumoulin to injury too after a reckless elbow to the head by Wayne Simmonds, but the defenseman returned to keep Pittsburgh’s patchwork blue line intact.

With the playoffs just weeks away, the Penguins are facing the real possibility that they’ll be icing a postseason team nearly unrecognizable to the one that won them a Stanley Cup last year. In the way that the Wild are backing into the postseason, the Penguins are desperately limping into it while being held together by spit, duct tape, and prayers.

In the meantime, for the sake of the city of Pittsburgh, just bubble wrap Crosby, Matt Murray, and Phil Kessel for the remainder of the season. Or, better yet, make them play in those inflatable bubbles. Fun for the whole family!

Red Wings 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Stars 2, Devils 1 (OT)
Flyers 6, Penguins 2
Jets 2, Canucks 1
Ducks 6, Rangers 3

1. The Wild are really backing hard into the playoffs

We mentioned it the other day, but the Wild have fallen backwards into a playoff spot. On Sunday, they were handed a 3-2 overtime loss by the Red Wings for their third straight loss and their 10th loss in their last 12 games.

It’s a cold streak, and potentially a worrisome one considering Devan Dubnyk gave up three goals on 19 shots in the loss.

2. Dallas may be soon out of the playoff picture, but its power play is still deadly

The Stars rallied from a 1-0 deficit thanks to a pair of power play goals in the final seven minutes of their game against the Devils. The win is their third in four games, and it’s enough to keep their playoff hopes alive for another day.

3. Special teams was also big for Winnipeg

In a similar vein, the Jets won their game 2-1 over the Canucks thanks to two power play goals on both of their extra man chances.

The Jets actually are in a better position than the Stars for a chance at a wild card spot, but it’s likely both teams will run out of race track before they catch up.

The Ducks pulled away from the Rangers and widened their Pacific Division lead to two points over the floundering Sharks with three goals in the third period. Andrew Cogliano got the game winner moments into the final frame.

Man, the Penguins have been good at home this season.