Sportsnet.ca — Pittsburgh forward Gary Roberts will not play in Game 1 tonight against the New York Rangers at the Mellon Arena.
Roberts missed the last two games of the Penguins first round series against Ottawa with a groin injury. Roberts participated in the morning skate on Friday, marking the third straight day he practiced with the team. The 41-year-old declined to go into specifics of his injury, but Michel Therrien has said he remains day-to-day.
UPDATE: Colton Orr will replace Ryan Hollweg in the Rangers lineup tonight. Orr has missed the last 10 games with a broken toe. But Tom Renney said he will be in for Game 1 tonight.
The biggest impact of Roberts absence in Game 1 will be felt in the physical department. While scoring two goals in the opening round sweep of Ottawa, Roberts also recorded seven hits in the two games he played.
“We have to find a way (without Roberts),” said Sidney Crosby on Friday morning. “Not having him is definitely tough. We’ve been faced with that before and we have to find a way to find that physical prescence. It’s up to other guys to fiill that void.”
