Pittsburgh Penguins News

Kuzmenko has remained on the top powerplay unit but has since been heavily protected at even strength, seemingly not having the trust of the Kings' coaching staff. The 29-year-old Kuzmenko was excellent with the Kings after being acquired before the trade deadline in 2024-25, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A) in 22 games, but has not been able to replicate that success in 2025-26. He played a season-low 6:58 time-on-ice in the Kings' most recent game and has just one point (1G / 0A) in his last 13. Jeff Malott will draw into the lineup as Kuzmenko's replacement.

Rakell has not played since October 25th, missing 19 straight games due to a hand injury, but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Tuesday. The 32-year-old forward was playing on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and on the top powerplay unit, streaking for eight points (3G / 5A) in seven games leading up to his injury.

Brunicke was drafted 44th overall by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and has split time between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in his first full professional season. The 19-year-old defenseman scored one goal in nine games with Pittsburgh and hopes to be a difference-maker for Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

The Penguins were liberally rotating goalies early in the season, but have relied more heavily on Tristan Jarry since he returned from an injury in late November. Arturs Silovs returns to the crease for only the second time in the last two and a half weeks, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old Silovs has a serviceable 3.00 GAA and .898 SV% in 12 games this season (4-4-0), but has struggled lately, allowing eight goals on 20 combined shots (.600 SV%) in his last two games (0-2-0). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as -118 home favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off a dominant 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor Clifton will draw back into Pittsburgh's lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, resulting in Dumba being a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Dumba has regularly been a healthy scratch this season, as was the case a year ago as a member of the Dallas Stars. He has a -4 plus/minus and zero points in his last three games.

The Penguins were liberally rotating goalies early in the season, but have relied more heavily on Tristan Jarry since he returned from an injury in late November. Arturs Silovs returns to the crease for only the second time in the last two and a half weeks, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old Silovs has a serviceable 3.00 GAA and .898 SV% in 12 games this season (4-4-0), but has struggled lately, allowing eight goals on 20 combined shots (.600 SV%) in his last two games (0-2-0). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as -118 home favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off a dominant 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lizotte will be sidelined for at least week after being placed on Injured Reserve due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Lizotte has five points (3G / 2A) through 27 games in a bottom-six role with the Penguins this season. In addition to Lizotte, Pittsburgh also placed Evgeni Malkin (upper body) on Injured Reserve, prompting the recall of Danton Heinen and Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Malkin has missed the last couple of games due to an upper-body injury and has retroactively been placed on Injured Reserve. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer has turned back the clock this season, with 29 points (8G / 21A) in 26 games. He has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace since the 2022-23 season. In addition to Malkin, Pittsburgh also placed Blake Lizotte (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve, prompting the recall of Danton Heinen and Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Calle Jarnkrok will draw back into Toronto's lineup on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending Robertson to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Robertson has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 27 games and is pacing for career-best offensive totals, but has still lacked the consistency the Maple Leafs have hoped for. He has one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine games.

Carlile has played the past few games for Tampa Bay, but has been reassigned to a familiar place in the AHL. The 25-year-old defenseman has one goal in nine games with Tampa Bay this season.

Brazeau started the season on fire with 12 points in his first 12 games with Pittsburgh but had to head to IR on October 30th after sustaining an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old returned to practice in full on Wednesday and is hopeful to re-enter Pittsburgh's lineup in the upcoming days.

McGroarty made his NHL debut last season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in eight games with Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old forward was drafted 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has seven points (4G / 3A) in five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season and will look to provide an offensive boost in Pittsburgh.

McGroarty made his NHL debut last season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in eight games with Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old forward was drafted 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has seven points (4G / 3A) in five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season and will look to provide an offensive boost in Pittsburgh.