Penguins/NHL
Morning Skate Update
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will miss his 4th straight game tonight.
Malkin participated in the morning skate but won’t play. Dustin Jeffrey also joined the big club this morning but was not on one of the top-4 lines. There has been no official word on his status for tonight.
The Penguins may be looking to get him a full practice under his belt like they did with Chris Conner but it makes little sense to take him out of Wilkes Barre’s lineup to have him sit, unless the team intends to give him an extended look with Staal’s return likely being pushed back.
If Jeffrey dresses tonight, he will replace Eric Godard.
One spot I would to see Jeffrey in is at the 2nd line center spot in place of Max Talbot.
Pens lines and d-pairs in morning skate
Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis
Cooke – Talbot – Asham
Conner – Letestu – Kennedy
Rupp – Adams – Godard
Defensemen
Martin – Michalek
Orpik – Letang
Goligoski – Engelland
Updated 1:04 p.m. – Dan Bylsma announced after the morning skate that Dustin Jeffrey will be in the lineup tonight. It’s unclear at this time where he’ll play in the lineup. Probably on the 4th line.
