NEW YORK -- The Penguins won't have Brandon Tanev when they face the New York Rangers tonight at 7:08 at Madison Square Garden, because he's still listed as week-to-week because of an unspecified upper-body injury.
They will, however, have a guy Mike Sullivan believes shares at least some of Tanev's traits, forward Sam Lafferty.
"I liked him a lot to (Tanev's) game," Sullivan said Thursday. "They have similar attributes. He can really skate. He's got a physical dimension to his game. He has the ability to make some plays. But his north-south game, just his activity on the forecheck, his physical presence, and just using his size and his strength to help us create, I think is when Sam's at his very best.
"And I think he's had moments during the course of the season when he's played to his strengths and he's really made an impact on the game. We think he's capable of getting to another level, just through his consistency. That's something Sam and I have talked about."
Lafferty has been in and of the lineup, appearing in 28 of the Penguins' first 39 games.
He has no goals and five assists, but trails only Tanev on the team in hits. Lafferty has 75, Tanev 139.
He is 6 foot 1, 195 pounds, and the ability to play physical is one of his primary assets -- and something of which the Penguins probably would like to see even more.
"We think Sam has the potential to be a real effective player for us," Sullivan said. "I think he's had moments during the course of this season where he's been a real impact player, and has a positive impact and influence on the game.
"I think he can do it more consistently. Sam and I have had a number of discussions, just about trying to clarify what the expectations are from the coaching staff, and how he needs to play in order to help us have success out there."
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• Tristan Jarry will make his second consecutive start in goal. He was replaced by Casey DeSmith after allowing four goals on 11 shots during the first period Tuesday.
• Defenseman John Marino, who left the game Tuesday in the third period after appearing to fall on his face, participated in the Penguins' optional game-day skate and will be available to play tonight, but center Teddy Blueger still has not been cleared to play.
• Sullivan said that winger Anthony Angello is being treated for an unspecified upper-body injury, which was the reason he was not in the lineup Tuesday and still is in Pittsburgh.
• Sullivan, on the cause of the Penguins' defensive failings during the past two games: "I don't think it's any one thing that you can put your finger on ... It's a number of things. We've had those discussions with our players. We've identified pertinent details associated with our game where we know we can improve and get better, and that should give us better results."
