Penguins brace for Stars with Sidney Crosby status unknown

A Sidney Crosby-less Penguins team, which currently sits second in the Metropolitan Division but is only a mere two points from missing the playoffs outright, needs as many wins as it can procure.

Pittsburgh (36-20-16, 88 points) looks to pick up two more crucial points at home against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Dallas (43-18-11, 97 points) fell to 0-3-1 during a current four-game winless streak when it dropped a 2-1 decision to open a four-game road trip at the New York Islanders on Thursday.