Malkin Out: Penguins lineup news vs Buffalo

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup Thursday night against the Washington Capitals with a 2 assist night but Malkin will sit out tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres and miss his third game of the season.

Malkin who did not skate on Friday or in today’s morning skate, is being labled by head coach Dan Bylsma as just dealing with knee soreness — Bylsma indicated today again that Malkin has not suffered a setback.

Malkin admitted on Thursday that he has soreness in around the scar of his surgically repaired right knee.

Malkin’s absence will lead to the expected return of Mark Letestu to the lineup.

Letestu was a healthy scratch Thursday night and was the odd-man out in today’s morning skate as Sidney Crosby took Malkin’s spot on the top line.

*Goaltender Marc Andre Fleury will get the start in goal after missing Thursday’s game due to illness.

*Defenseman Brooks Orpik continues to go through individual drills prior to practice but has not been cleared yet to rejoin his teammates for practice. Orpik will miss his 6th straight game.

*The Penguins will make a change to their D-pairs. Ben Lovejoy will play the left side as a pairing with Kris Letang.

Kunitz – Staal – Kennedy

Sullivan – Letestu – Neal

Cooke – Vitale – Dupuis

Asham – Park – Adams

Defensemen

Martin – Michalek

Lovejoy – Letang

Niskanen – Engelland

Marc Andre Fleury in goal