Pittsburgh Penguins News

Johnson was the 31st overall pick of the Sabres in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in 41 games. He has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign with the Rochester Americans (AHL), scoring five points (0G / 5A) in 21 games. Johnson's call-up may indicate that Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms) could miss some time.

For the first time this season, Kuzmenko will be a healthy scratch. After scoring 74 points (39G / 35A) in 81 games in his rookie season in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks, Kuzmenko has failed to find that same scoring touch. The 28-year-old has nine points (1G / 8A) in 25 games this season and has been held off the scoresheet in nine straight.

Brad Lambert will make his season debut for the Jets, resulting in Gustafsson being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Gustafsson has only played two games this season, averaging 7:56 time-on-ice.

Alex Petrovic has been reassigned to the Texas Stars (AHL), opening a roster spot for Dumba to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Dumba has struggled establishing himself with the Stars this season, averaging only 15:54 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2014-15.

Pickering was a late scratch on Wednesday due to an illness and will miss a second straight game on Friday. The 21-year-old rookie has one assist in four games this season.

Chinakhov has been one of the best offensive producers for the Blue Jackets this season but will not play on Friday. The 23-year-old is averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games this season.

Nils Lundkvist (lower body) will return from an injury and Alex Petrovic will make his season debut for the Stars at Matt Dumba and Brendan Smith will be healthy scratches. Dumba started the season on the top defensive pair alongside Miro Heiskanen but has struggled, finding himself on the bottom pair lately.

Pickering was a late scratch on Wednesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The 21-year-old rookie has one assist in four games this season.

Lizotte missed the first 11 games of the season with a concussion, played the next six, and has been out for five straight with another concussion. The 26-year-old Lizotte has two points (2G / 0A) in seven games this season.

The Canucks will turn to Silovs on Wednesday as they get set to play their second game in as many nights. It's Silovs' first appearance since November 19th, when he surrendered four goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. The 23-year-old netminder owns an ugly .857 SV% and 3.91 GAA across six appearances this season. That being said, he's got a good chance of getting back in the win column on Wednesday, as the Canucks enter action as -120 favourites in Pittsburgh.

Ryan Shea and Jack St. Ivany will draw back into the Penguins lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks, sending Matt Grzelcyk and Ryan Graves to the press box as healthy scratches. The 29-year-old Graves, his second second with the Penguins, is averaging 15:19 time-on-ice, down over three minutes from last season, and has zero points, 28 blocks, and 27 hits in 20 games.

Lizotte missed the first 11 games of the season with a concussion, played the next six, and has been out for five straight with another concussion. The 26-year-old Lizotte has two points (2G / 0A) in seven games this season.