The set-up: The 49-19-11 Pittsburgh Penguins have all but clinched home-ice advantage for their upcoming first-round playoff series but the team just announced that offensive-minded defenseman Kris Letang will miss the upcoming postseason with a neck injury. Letang played an integral role in helping Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup title last season, collecting three goals and 12 assists while averaging a club-best 28:53 of ice time. The Penguins built a three-point lead over Columbus with a 4-1 triumph over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday and now look to complete a five-game regular-season sweep of the 28-37-14 New Jersey Devils on Thursday when they visit the Prudential Center. New Jersey is in last-place in the Metropolitan Division, having scored just nine goals in its last seven games (1-4-2). While the Pens lead the NHL in goals scored (3.37 per), the Devils average of 2.19 GPG ranks 28th of 30 teams.

Pittsburgh: Captain Sidney Crosby (NHL-best 43 goals) has collected eight points (five goals, three assists) in four meetings with New Jersey. However, heading into this contest with the Devils, Pittsburgh lists eight players on its injured list. The playoffs start next week, and the defending Stanley Cup champions hope to get back most those players, especially superstar center Evgeni Malkin, sparkplug winger Carl Hagelin and top-six defensemen Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley.

New Jersey: Goalie Keith Kinkaid is completing a one-year, $725,000 deal and he's given New Jersey plenty to think about. The impending unrestricted free agent has allowed just 16 goals in his last eight outings.

The pick: Here's the rub. Pittsburgh injury issues are minor compared to New Jersey's overall woes. The Devils own just one win in their last seven games (a 1-0 overtime victory Tuesday over the Flyers) and just three wins since Feb. 19, a span of 21 games. Make Pittsburgh an 8* play.