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Brandon Dubinsky tries to contain Sidney Crosby

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PITTSBURGH — Brandon Dubinsky knows Sidney Crosby will get scoring chances.

For Dubinsky, the Columbus Blue Jackets centre who goes over the boards when Crosby does for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s about ensuring Crosby doesn’t get a lot of them.

“He is one of the ... probably the best player in the world, and you just try to be in his face as much as you can,” Dubinsky said on Saturday morning.

“Look, you’re never going to shut a guy like that down. He is too good a player but you have to do your best to try to contain him and limit his scoring chances. Instead of having six or seven in a game, (try to) keep him to one or two.”

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference best-of-seven quarterfinal goes tonight at the Consol Energy Center. Dubinsky did a good job on Crosby in Game 1 as No. 87 had just an assist and was minus-2, but the Penguins’ depth made up the difference in a 4-3 Pittsburgh victory.

The Blue Jackets, looking for the first playoff win in franchise history, will have forward R.J. Umberger back in the lineup, and he is expected to play on a line with Artem Anisimov and Blake Comeau. Jared Boll is the likely scratch with Umberger, who had an upper-body injury, back in.

Forward Nick Foligno (knee) skated but will not play. He is possible for Game 3 on Monday night in Columbus.

“It was hard to watch (Game 1), especially a playoff game in my home town,” said Umberger, a native of Pittsburgh.

“You want to get out there as much as you can helping your guys and your team. I’m excited to be back tonight.

“Hopefully I can bring a lot of energy and some puck possession down low and get in front of (Penguins goalie Marc-Andre) Fleury and battle. Use my big body.”

The Penguins expect the 6-foot-2, 214-pound Umberger, who had 18 goals during the regular season, to make an impact.

“He is a big guy, brings some physical play to their lineup, he is good in front of the net and can score goals,” Crosby said. “He is a veteran guy and has lots of experience, so yeah, I would expect them to get a boost from that.”

terry.koshan@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/koshtorontosun

 

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