Injuries are piling up for several NHL teams as the playoffs approach. Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal sat out for a second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns about his availability in the postseason. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov left the last match early, though coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated the injury isn't serious. Meanwhile, Hurricanes' William Carrier is on the mend, having skated in a no-contact jersey for two days.

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has recently resumed skating, but uncertainty remains regarding his readiness. The New Jersey Devils are also monitoring Dougie Hamilton's progress, as he recovers from knee surgery, with expectations that he may be back by the second round. In New York, Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in the morning skate after an upper-body injury, while David Kampf and Jake McCabe exited their previous game with injuries. The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with Evgeni Malkin, who is traveling with the team but has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury.

Sidney Crosby, the iconic Pittsburgh Penguins player, has taken his passion for excellence beyond the ice by joining Norqain, a luxury watch brand co-founded by fellow NHL stars. As a brand ambassador and shareholder, Crosby partners with Mark Streit and Roman Josi to elevate the brand's profile. Known for his meticulous work ethic and pursuit of improvement, Crosby embraces the values embodied by Norqain, which he discovered during the 2019 NHL All-Star Game.

Streit praises Crosby's character, suggesting that his involvement signifies a major milestone for the company. With plans for future growth in the competitive watch industry, Crosby's commitment could potentially lead to greater roles as he transitions from his on-ice career. The partnership reflects a deep friendship and shared values between the players, promising an exciting future for both the brand and Crosby.

Chase Pietila, a 21-year-old defenseman, is set to kick off his professional hockey career after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This decision marks a significant milestone as Pietila chose to forgo his last two seasons at Michigan Tech to pursue his dream of playing professionally. He briefly played with the Penguins' AHL affiliate before being assigned to the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers to gain further experience.

Pietila's development path is shaped by his time at Michigan Tech, where he credits the program's facilities and coaching as crucial to his growth. He had a productive college career, totaling 10 goals and 34 assists across 76 games. After the Huskies' season ended in the CCHA playoffs, Pietila felt ready for the next step and is eager to adapt to the professional game while also enjoying the support of his brother Logan, who plays for the Nailers.

Pittsburgh Penguins' head coach Mike Sullivan recently made a bold decision by starting rookie forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen in a crucial game against the Ottawa Senators. Both players, with minimal NHL experience, have showcased offensive potential in the AHL, prompting Sullivan to give them a chance in key roles.

The real gamble, however, was opting to start goaltender Tristan Jarry for the fourth consecutive game. This comes on the heels of Jarry being pulled from his last two outings after allowing eight goals on just 19 shots. Sullivan's confidence in Jarry reflects the team's shaky performance in the nets and the lack of suitable alternatives in their bottom-six roster.

Sidney Crosby led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators, netting a power-play goal just 1:16 into overtime. This achievement extends Crosby's impressive scoring streak to 10 games, during which he has tallied eight goals and 15 points. Additionally, he continues to build on a remarkable 13-game home point streak. The Penguins' win was aided by Tristan Jarry's strong performance in goal, achieving his first shutout of the season with 31 saves. Jarry's recent struggles included allowing 11 goals in three prior outings, making this shutout significant for his confidence.

Despite the Penguins' success, they were without Evgeni Malkin, who missed his third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Ville Koivunen made his NHL debut, adding youthful energy to the roster. The Senators, led by goaltender Anton Forsberg, put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, managing just 34 shots on goal. The Penguins appeared more energized in the third period, dominating the shot count and showcasing their depth. They capitalized on a late hooking penalty against Ridly Greig to secure the overtime win.