James_Taipei: Is Gary Roberts going to get back on the ice this series? It is a shame to see such a team player miss this exciting playoff run.

Shelly Anderson: Tough guy veteran Gary Roberts participated in the Penguins' optional practice today and seems to be recovered from his groin injury sufficiently to be available for Game 3 tomorrow night. Coach Michel Therrien said he will meet with Roberts after the morning skate and decide on his lineup.

jim66: Will the Rangers keep Avery on leash or will they sick him on Malkin and Crosby?

Shelly Anderson: Sean Avery has, at times, been his normal pesty self this series to go along with a goal in Game 1. He seemed to get his stick in Sidney Crosby's face in Game 2 without getting caught. So far, Avery's play has certainly not hurt New York.

jim66: Any word on Letang's hand?

Shelly Anderson: Defenseman Kris Letang was another member of the skating crew at the optional practice today. No reason to think he'll be out of the lineup tomorrow.

Lemieux67: Is it just me or do the Rangers look old and slow?

Shelly Anderson: That might be a product of who they are playing. The Penguins' speed has been on display. The Rangers aren't that old and slow -- familiar if somewhat older faces Jaromir Jagr and Marty Straka are playing well.

James_Taipei: How important do you think it is for the Penguins to re-sign Ryan Malone?

Shelly Anderson: It's going to come down to an equation of how much Ryan Malone's stock on the free agent market goes up and who else the Penguins feel they need to save cap room for over the coming seasons. He's certainly valuable for his size, his willingness to work in front of the net and his feistiness. But, come on, people, the Penguins are 6-0 in the playoffs and providing some highly entertaining game. Can't fans enjoy the run before worrying about things beyond June?

jim66: Rutuu had a few penalties that did not hurt the team yesterday will the Rangers try to bait him into taking more PIM? Will Therrien have him in his offfice again?

Shelly Anderson: Jarkko Ruutu, for the most part, has been able to be at his agitating best -- with some valuable offense thrown in -- without spending a lot of time in the penalty box. You're right, the Penguins were able to kill his two penalties yesterday. They might not be so lucky in New York. But give Ruutu credit for being pretty shrewd in doing his job.

praveen: While Therrien overall has done a good job, I am puzzled by his Power Play strategy. Why not have either Malkin or Crosby remain on both units to give some kind of continuity? Frequently the second unit looks like it's in disarray with the exception of Sykora. The only time they looked good was when Malkin stayed past his Power Play shift and made a nice play to Staal. I say move Sykora to the first unit, Have Staal, Talbot, Crosby or Malkin, Whitney, and Hossa man the second unit

Shelly Anderson: That's been an ongoing question since Sidney Crosby came back from his extended absence with a high ankle sprain. Obviously, Michel Therrien wants Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same unit, and he doesn't want that unit to play the full two minutes of a power play. Crosby and Malkin have each played at the point and along the half-wall. It can't be called a failed experiment, and don't look for any coach who is 6-0 in the playoffs to start fiddling much with his lineup.

Lemieux67: If the Pens win Tuesday it's my belief that the Rangers will be "toast". Agree?

Shelly Anderson: If the Penguins split the two upcoming games in New York, regardless of whether they take Game 3 or Game 4, it will mean the Rangers will have to win the final three -- two of them in Pittsburgh -- to advance, while the Penguins will get two cracks at home. Most people would probably like the Penguins' odds there.

jim66: Was the white out the best idea the Pens could come up with?

Shelly Anderson: Well, they didn't lose. It was presented as coming from the players, but I don't know the exact genesis. Perhaps the team got a great bulk buy on those T-shirts for Game 1. You might notice there was no whiteout for Game 2.

Hossa_Rules: Shelly, Are you impressed with how Fleury rebounded after allowing 4 goals? Do you think that even though he wasnt tested so much it'll be sufficient to boost his confidence ?

Shelly Anderson: Is there anything NOT to be impressed about when it comes to the Penguins young goaltender? From what both teams said, the ice was pretty bad in Game 1 and both teams were coming off an extended layoff. Those things might help account for Fleury giving up four goals, but he certainly didn't seem shaken. If you watch the way he is patient -- as on Jaromir Jagr's prime scoring chance in Game 2 -- and positionally sound, with improving puck-handling skills, there's nothing to suggest he is anything but confident.

Lemieux67: This Pens team is starting to look a lot like the '92 Cup team....two dominant stars (Sid/Geno vs. Mario/Jags); a playmaking D-man; (Gonch vs. Coffey); A tough D man (brooks/Gill vs. Ulfie); role players coming through (Ruutu vs. Paek, etc. ) and a Goalie that is standing on his head (Fleury vs. Barasso). Can it be true?!

Shelly Anderson: You left out Jordan Staal in the role of Ron Francis, didn't you? Certainly, teams built to contend for the Stanley Cup need those elements. There have been comparisons between this Penguins team and the ones from the Stanley Cup era of the early 1990s, or with the 1980s Edmonton Oilers. There might be some validity there, but if you ask them, these Penguins probably want to forge their own identity.

PensInASweep: What was your series prediction? Has it changed?

Shelly Anderson: Going in, this looked like a series that could easily go six or seven games. It still could, but if the Penguins can win at least one game in New York, it very well might not go back to Madison Square Garden.

Big_Daddy_Hockey: Type hereShould the Penquins continue to ignore Avery or ring his clock? In light of his antics against Fleury?

Shelly Anderson: Sean Avery and Marc-Andre Fleury had a little pas de deux as regulation wound down in Game 2. Hal Gill immediately came to the goaltender's aid, with Georges Laraque weighing in briefly before things broke up. Look for the Penguins to do the same thing in any similar situation, but it's doubtful they will just go after Avery. There is no reason to take penalties for that.

mjp1542: The Rangers seem confident to the point of arrogance about taking both games at MSG. In your opinion is this just a front, or are they really that sure of themselves going home? It's interesting they keep bringing up last year how they came from 2-0 down vs. Buffalo to make it 2-2, but they still lost that series.

Shelly Anderson: If things were reversed, wouldn't you expect the Penguins to remain confident? I didn't sense arrogance from the Rangers, just a strong belief in themselves, which is the sign of a good team.