Letang suffered a concussion on a scary looking hit from Shane Doan on Saturday. We have learned this season that there is no way to determine how long a player will be out with a concussion and considering this is not Letang’s first, the Penguins will be extra cautious. This is a huge loss for the Pens heading into the playoffs. On Sunday they will play with just five defensemen, with Daniel Winnik serving as an emergency defenseman.
Letang was hit by Shane Doan and it appeared as if his head snapped off of the boards. Letang had to be helped off of the ice and will remain in hospital and undergo further evaluation. It seems highly unlikely that Letang will be able to play tomorrow vs. San Jose.
Malkin has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury, but will return today vs. the Coyotes. While Malkin was out the Penguins went 1-4-1, so they will be pumped up to get him back in this afternoon. Malkin has 68 points (28G / 40A) in 63 games and he should make a sudden impact and should be deployed with confidence.
Malkin skated on on the Penguins second line in practice on Friday and said that there is a very good chance that he plays tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. Since it is an afternoon game, there will be no morning skate, so monitor Malkin’s status a few hours prior to puck-drop and during warmups.
Malkin has mixed the last five games and is expected to miss his sixth on Thursday, however, it looks like Malkin could be back in the lineup for the Penguins back-to-back on the weekend. Monitor his status heading into the weekend.
The Penguins announced this morning that Malkin might join the team on their road trip, but then GM Jim Rutherford dropped a fantasy hockey playoff bomb when he announced that Malkin will miss 1-2 weeks. The Penguins have been outscored 7-1 in two games without Malkin.
Malkin will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. He will not travel at the start of the Penguins road-trip, but may join the team on the trip.
Crosby missed Saturday’s game but will be in the lineup this afternoon vs. Detroit. Crosby has four goals and eight assists (12 points)in his last nine games. He will be leaned on heavily with Evgeni Malkin out.
Crosby was a late scratch on Saturday, but he is on the ice for warmups, so it looks like he will play today vs. Detroit.
Crosby was a late scratch from Saturday’s game and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Red Wings. Monitor his status during warmups.
Malkin was injured in yesterday’s game against the Bruins and will be held out of today’s game vs. the Red Wings. The injury is not believed to be serious, so consider him day-to-day.
Crosby was in the pre-game warmup, but determined he could not play after being submitted in the starting lineup. Crosby is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and questionable for Sunday’s game.
Ouellet, 21, has been recalled because Brendan Smith is questionable with an arm injury. Oullet has scored twice and added one assist in 21 games with Detroit this season. While in Grand Rapids he has collected one goal and 10 assists (11 points) in 32 games.
Carter was in Canada on Wednesday for his grandfather’s funeral, but he has back in Los Angeles on Thursday and will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Flames. Carter is coming off of a two-point (1G / 1A) effort on Monday in Columbus.
Carter missed Kings practice this morning but is reportedly fine and is expected to play on Thursday vs. the Flames. Nick Shore skated in his spot this morning, so if Carter is unable to go for whatever reason, expect Shore to replace him between Dwight King and Tyler Toffoli.
Ouellet was a healthy scratch for the last three games, so he will head back to Grand Rapids to get some games in. Alexey Marchenko will stay with the team for now.
Malkin has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Edmonton. Malkin comes in ninth in the NHL in assists (32) and eighth in points (51). Expect him to skate between Mark Arcobello and Patric Hornqvist.
The Penguins announced on Tuesday that Malkin was expected to return tonight and his availability for their optional morning skate suggests that he will return. Expect a full update after the practice session.
Malkin revealed the injury is groin related and it will keep him out of his fourth straight game on Sunday. However, he will travel to Western Canada and could return to the lineup on Tuesday in Edmonton.
Malkin has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but his return to the ice on Saturday is a good sign he shouldn’t be out for much longer. The Penguins take on Nashville tomorrow afternoon, be sure to track Malkin’s status.
