Morning Skate Buzz: Jeffrey healthy scratch? Pens recall goaltender Brad Thiessen

10:40 a.m. – Jeffrey extra/ Tangradi on 4th line

Forward Dustin Jeffrey who had a strong game Saturday afternoon vs the Philadelphia Flyers but was a minus-3 in the Penguins 6-2 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, appears to be a healthy scratch tonight vs the New York Rangers.

Jeffrey skated as an extra with Cal O’Reilly in the morning skate and has not taken any line rushes or been involved with the power play units.

The Penguins shook up their third and fourth lines this morning with Joe Vitale centering Matt Cooke and Arron Asham on the third line, and Richard Park centering Eric Tangradi and Craig Adams on the 4th line.

Tangradi recalled Monday evening is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

LINES

Kunitz – Malkin – Neal

Sullivan – Staal – Dupuis

Cooke – Vitale – Asham

Tangradi – Park – Adams

Extras: Jeffrey, O’Reilly

10:32 a.m. – Orpik absent from skate

Defenseman Brooks Orpik is not participating in the morning skate. The Penguins three d-pairs are Lovejoy-Letang, Martin-Engelland, Niskanen – Michalek.

10:30 a.m. – JOHNSON NOT on ICE

Struggling backup goaltender Brent Johnson is not on the ice this morning and neither is Brad Thiessen who isn’t in Pittsburgh yet.

10:10 a.m. – THIESSEN CALLED UP

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled goaltender Brad Thiessen from Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Thiessen, 25, has posted a 20-14-2 record with a 2.88 goals-against average. Thiessen is having a down season compared to his performance from last season when he had a career year and was named the AHL’s top goaltender.

It is not clear at this time why the Penguins have made the callup of Thiessen, but as we mentioned yesterday, the team has been holding internal discussions regarding the backup situation and Thiessen has been the center of those discussions.

Marc Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson both practiced on Monday.

10:07 a.m. – CROSBY SKATES

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby who admitted last week that he is still dealing with headaches, continues his normal rehab and went through individual on-ice workouts in the 9:00 a.m. hour.