12/28 – Monday Practice Report: Rupp skates with Crosby, Dupuis on top unit

Pittsburgh_ The Pittsburgh Penguins went through a 70 minute workout this morning before departing for Buffalo as the Penguins hit the road for a four game road trip that includes back-to-back games against the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils.

Defenseman Alex Goligoski and forward Chris Kunitz did not practice today. Kunitz remains bothered by a nagging knee injury, while Goligoski has a bad back.

Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma did indicate he expects both players to participate in Tuesday’s morning skate at Buffalo.

Eaton to return to lineup Tuesday night

*Defenseman Mark Eaton participated fully in practice today for the 3rd consecutive day. Eaton was paired with Kris Letang in practice and will return to the lineup against Buffalo after missing three games with a right knee injury.

*Over the past week, Dan Bylsma has been experimenting with line changes on his top two lines and today in practice was no different.

Rupp skates on 1st line

Pascal Dupuis remains a fixture on the top unit alongside Sidney Crosby while Michael Rupp (10 goals) skated on the top unit today with Crosby and Dupuis.

Ruslan Fedotenko was not on the second line in practice today as Evgeni Malkin centered

Max Talbot and Bill Guerin. Fedotenko took line rushes with the Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke unit as Tyler Kennedy is currently in Dan Bylsma’s dog house.

Kennedy spent much of the practice working in with the 4th line.

*Brent Johnson is expected to start Tuesday night against Buffalo.