from Luke Fox of Sportsnet,

Sidney Crosby had a conversation this morning at a University of Ottawa ice pad with the latest candidate to quarterback the best power play left standing in these unpredictable, injury-riddled playoffs: Mark Streit, who has been warming the Penguins’ bench for 38 days.

Streit is the savvy 39-year-old puck mover GM Jim Rutherford scooped at the trade deadline from bitter intrastate rival Philadelphia, with a primary assist from Steve Yzerman.

He has more than 800 games of experience when you count his 31 post-season appearances, and was brought in for his depth. But who knew the defending champs would have to reach this deep to patch up a blue line that is in shambles?

“He hasn’t actually played, so I was giving him an idea what we’re looking for and kinda seeing what he sees out there too,” Crosby said of his conversation with Streit, who point-manned the first power-play unit at practice.

The Penguins enter Game 3 without Bryan Rust, Patric Hornqvist, and, most importantly, defenceman Justin Schultz (all three skated and are day-to-day with upper-body injuries).

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