Pittsburgh Penguins News

The Sharks returned to the ice on Friday but Karlsson did not participate and remains a question mark for tonight’s game. The All-Star defenseman has been excellent for the Sharks this season and the team has gone 2-2-1 in the five games he’s missed due to injury or suspension his season. Fortunately for San Jose, it looks like they will at least get Marc-Edouard Vlasic back and Karlsson’s return seems just around the corner.

Hayes has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury but will replace Mats Zuccarello, who is sidelined with a foot infection. Hayes has had a solid campaign, scoring 10 goals with 23 assists (33 points) in 39 games and will skate on the second-line with Jimmy Vesey and Vladislav Namestnikov.

Graves, 21, has scored twice in eight games with the Avalanche this season and has collected eight points (2G / 6A) in 29 AHL contests. Graves will replace Mark Barberio in the lineup vs. Minnesota.

Karlsson will miss Monday’s game in Florida and Tuesday’s game in Washington, at the very least. The Sharks’ first game after the break is Saturday, February 2nd vs. the Coyotes. Look for Kevin Labanc to play on the top power-play for a second straight game.

Karlsson was on the ice for warmups but the lower-body ailment that he has been dealing with will force him to miss Saturday’s game vs. the Lightning.

Nedeljkovic has gone 20-5-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .903 SV% in 30 games with the Checkers this season. With Curtis McElhinney dealing with a knee injury, Nedeljkovic will back Mrazek up on Friday.

Acciari has been in the lineup for the last nine games but will be replaced by David Backes on Thursday. Acciari has just four points (1G / 3A) in 40 games this season.

Hayes continues to be sidelined with an upper-body injury and will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday. Ryan Strome will continue to skate in the Rangers top-6 while Hayes is out.

Rakell skated on the top line in Tuesday’s practice and was activated from IR ahead of Wednesday’s game. Rakell will take warmups and will return to the lineup barring a setback.

Rakell has missed the last 13 games with an ankle injury but is set to return to the Ducks lineup on Wednesday. Rakell has been limited by a 5.7 shooting percentage, resulting in just five goals and 15 assists (20 points) in 30 games this season.

Riikola has been in the lineup for the last six games but will be replaced by Jamie Oleksiak on Friday. Riikola had one goal on 11 shots in those six games.

Rust missed Monday’s game in Minnesota with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Wednesday. Rust was back on the Penguins top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel in the morning skate and will look to continue the torrid pace he was on before getting hurt—scoring eight goals with three assists (11 points) in his last nine games.

Rust is not expected to be in the lineup in Minnesota on Monday, so look for Zach Aston-Reese to start on the top-line with Sidney Crosby.

Graves was a fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2013 and will make his NHL debut tonight after playing 254 career AHL games. Graves, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in 26 games this season, will replace Anton Lindholm on the Avalanche blueline.

Carter was not on the ice for the Kings morning skate and will not play Thursday vs. the Coyotes. With Carter out, Adrian Kempe will centre the Kings’ second-line.