Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin could return to action Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena vs. the Seattle Kraken after an absence of four games.
Malkin, designated to injured reserve because of an unspecified ailment, was listed as a game-time decision by coach Mike Sullivan following the Penguins’ Tuesday morning skate in Cranberry.
Malkin centered the Penguins’ second line and partook in power-play drills.
Sullivan also named Tristan Jarry as his starting netminder Tuesday.
Though 21 games played, Jarry is 8-7-4 with a 3.32 goals-against average and .888 save percentage.
Additionally, fellow forward Michael Bunting is expected to re-enter the lineup after missing Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bunting was involved in a car accident outside of PPG Paints Arena en route to the rink and was held out of the contest as a result.
Notes:
• Lines, defensive pairings and power-play groups utilized by the Penguins on Tuesday were as follows:
67 Rickard Rakell – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust
8 Michael Bunting – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 19 Cody Glass
10 Drew O’Connor – 13 Kevin Hayes – 53 Phil Tomasino
72 Anthony Beauvillier – 46 Blake Lizotte – 55 Noel Acciari
28 Marcus Pettersson – 58 Kris Letang
24 Matt Grzelcyk – 65 Erik Karlsson
38 Owen Pickering – 73 P.O Joseph
• First power-play: Crosby, Rakell, Bunting, Rust, Grzelcyk. Second power-play: Malkin, Hayes, O’Connor, Letang, Karlsson.
• Ryan Graves and Ryan Shea skated as a reserve fourth defensive pairing.
• Forwards Matt Nieto and Jesse Puljujarvi did not partake in line rushes Tuesday and, along with Graves and Shea, remained on the ice for additional work long after the Penguins’ team practice session ended. That usually is a strong indication of players being a healthy scratch.
• Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord is scheduled to start Tuesday’s game. In 26 games this season, Daccord has a 13-9-2 record, a 2.49 goals against average, a .912 save percentage and one shutout.
Throughout his career, Daccord has faced the Penguins in two games and has posted a 0-1-0 record, a 2.62 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
• Kraken forward Chandler Stephenson has 299 career points.
• Former Penguins defenseman Jamie Olekisak has 99 career assists.
