ajt123: Any injury update for Letang?

Shelly Anderson: Defenseman Kris Letang is being evaluated by doctors in Pittsburgh today. The team hopes to be able to give us an update later day. It's difficult to speculate, but it sure looked like something related to his right shoulder.

James_Taiwan: Should we be worried that Crosby has not found a way to elevate his game since Malkin has been injured?

Shelly Anderson: Sidney Crosby is probably the last player anyone should worry about when it comes to motivating himself. That will be addressed in my story tomorrow.

robbiesdad: Are the Pens concerned at all over the apparent disappearance of Bill Guerin over the past couple weeks? He hasn't been getting many scoring chances, and the ones he is getting are ending up buried in the goalie's pads or wide of the cage.

Shelly Anderson: There is no sign of panic over Bill Guerin's lack of production lately, but coach Dan Bylsma did shake up the lines at practice today. Jordan Staal moved into Sidney Crosby's former spot between Guerin and Chris Kunitz, with Crosby skiating with wingers Matt Cooke and Ruslan Fedotenko.

ajt123: Biggest surprise and disappointment so far?

Shelly Anderson: Biggest surprise -- maybe the play of winger Pascal Dupuis. Biggest disappointment -- gotta be the power play.

KS_Steeler: Hi Shelly, this rough stretch in nothing to worry about with the Pens with the long West Coast swing; they always have trouble, and it is no big deal - your thoughts? Also, do you think the Steelers get it done tonight in Denver?

Shelly Anderson: There was little hope the Penguins could keep winning at the pace that got them to an 8-1 start, and they have been hit hard by injuries. So no, fans probably shouldn't worry that the club is falling apart. As for the Steelers, you'll have to ask the experts, Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac.

ajt123: Think we can maintain at least a .500 record until everyone heals?

Shelly Anderson: This team should be capable of winning as many as it loses while some key players work their way back from injuries. Winger Tyler Kennedy won't play tomorrow here in Boston, but he could be back in the following days. Forwards Evgeni Malkin and Max Talbot could follow in the next week or more. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar gets the cast off his left wrist soon. Defenseman Kris Letang is the biggest question right now.

zippo123: Any word on Letang's injury? What do you expect the D to look like if he's out?

Shelly Anderson: Still nothing from the Penguins on Letang's visit with doctors. We should see Deryk Engelland make his NHL debut against the Bruins. Winger Ruslan Fedotenko is a candidate to play in Letang's spot on the point on the power play.

KS_Steeler: Last year during both teams title runs, the media had stories how the Steelers and Pens were fans of each other; is this still the case, any stories, insights; who is the biggest hockey fan on the Steelers, and vice versa?

Shelly Anderson: Sure, the two teams still are fans of each other. When they get the chance, the Penguins watch the Steelers games and several go as often as the can. The Steelers, too, keep up with the Penguins. I believe kicker Jeff Reed is still a season ticket holder. After the Steelers' season, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin get to a lot of Penguins games.

robbiesdad: Marc-Andre Fleury's play on the coast (especially in SJ) was uncharacteristic. Just a rough night, or a trend worth getting worried about?

Shelly Anderson: It's hard to call it a trend, although there seems to be a large faction of people who have long been quick to criticize Marc-Andre Fleury and wondered if he would ever be good enough to win a Stanley Cup. It's far more likely he'll work his way back to the top of his game just as the rest of the team will.

KS_Steeler: That is really cool the teams hang out like that - I think it is part of the charm of a 'small market team.' Now, if they can only get some Pirates to hang out together ...

Shelly Anderson: From what I understand, there were some friendships between the Penguins and Pirates, but the Pirates players involved are now gone.

Shelly Anderson: Thanks, everyone. Catch you again next week.

Penguins Plus, a blog by Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson, is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.