Penguins/NHL
Tuesday Practice Update
After a two day break, the Pittsburgh Penguins were back on the ice this morning for a 75 minute skate.
Winger Chris Kunitz did not practice and was given a day off. Kunitz has been playing with a bum shoulder that caused him to miss the Penguins final four regular season games.
Despite the injury, Kunitz had a strong first round series, scoring 2 goals and adding 4 assists.
Ruslan Fedotenko, a healthy scratch in game 6, replaced Kunitz on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin.
With at least three more days off before game 1 of the second round, the Penguins lineup remains up in the air due to the injury status of Tyler Kennedy but there continues to be signs that Max Talbot will remain on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing for the start of the next series.
Malkin centered Max Talbot and Alexei Ponikarovsky this morning and Bylsma appears to be leaning towards sticking with Talbot for the time being. Bylsma has praised Talbot’s fore-checking ability in recent days.
Pascal Dupuis remained on the third line in today’s skate with Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke.
The Penguins fourth line consisted of Michael Rupp – Craig Adams and Chris Conner.
Notes
Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Leopold did not practice.
The Penguins next round of callups with join the team for Wednesday’s practice. Top prospect Eric Tangradi will be among the callups.
