Malkin has missed the last 11 games with a lower-body injury but was on the ice during Friday's practice and has a chance to return on Saturday. Malkin, who has one goal in two games to start the season, remains a game-time decision so monitor his status on Saturday morning.
Malkin returned to the ice on Monday but will not play Tuesday vs. the Flyers. Instead, Malkin is hoping to be back in the lineup vs. the Oilers on Saturday. Continue to monitor Malkin’s status as the weekend approaches.
Kulak has appeared in six straight games but will be replaced by Mike Reilly on Saturday. Kulak was a minus-2 in 16:38 TOI in Thursday's loss to the Sharks.
Rust has missed the first 11 games of the season but is eligible to come off of LTIR and make his season debut on Saturday. Rust skated on the second line with Nick Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist in Friday's practice. He had 18 goals and 17 assists (35 points) in 72 games a season ago.
Hamaliuk was a second-round pick (No.55 overall) in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-4, 193 lbs. winger had 26 points (11G / 15A) in 31 WHL games last year but has opened this season with 10 points (5G / 5A) in 12 games with the Kelowna Rockets.
Tomasino was selected in the first-round (No.24 overall) in this summer's draft. The 18-year-old centre has had a tremendous start to the 2019-20 season, leading the Niagara IceDogs with 23 points (9G / 14A) in 12 games.
Clifton was a healthy scratch on Monday but will replace Steven Kampfer against the Lightning. Clifton has not registered a point while averaging 15:30 TOI/gm in five games this season.
Clifton has no points while playing 15:30 ATOI in the first five games of the season and will be replaced by Steve Kampfer, who is making his season debut. “Cliffy’s played well, but a message that nothing is guaranteed,” is what head coach Bruce Cassidy had to say about scratching the rookie defenseman.
Durability has always been a concern for Malkin, who has missed 20 percent of the games over the last six years, and now he is expected to miss a large chunk of 2019-20. With Nick Bjugstad also out “longer-term," the Penguins are going to lean heavily on Jared McCann and Teddy Blueger to stabilize their second and third lines.
Karlsson missed the season opener in Vegas to be with his wife for the birth of their child but will play tonight vs. the Golden Knights. Karlsson will look to build off of a solid first season in San Jose—his 1.8 SH% is bound to bounce-back and a healthy season could result in 60-plus assists.
Karlsson was a late scratch from the Sharks season opener in Vegas. Karlsson had to attend to a personal affair and will be replaced by Tim Heed on the blueline and Kevin Labanc on the first power-play unit.
Crosby has practiced for the last two days and will play in the Penguins season opener. Crosby is set to centre the top line with Jake Guentzel and Patric Hornqvist on his wings. The 32-year-old centre is coming off of his first 100-point season since 2014.
Crosby practiced for the first time since being hit in the foot with a shot during Pittsburgh’s preseason game last Saturday. “I felt good today,” Crosby told reporters, but his status for Thursday’s season opener remains unknown. Expect another update on Thursday.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Rust is expected to be out “longer-term” and his move to LTIR means he will miss at least 10 games (24 days). His injury means that Zach Aston-Reese will likely start the season on the Penguins fourth-line.
Silovs was selected in the sixth-round of this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old has the size of a modern-day netminder, standing at 6-foot-4 and 203 lbs. Silovs had a 3.26 GAA and .914 SV% in Latvia’s top league last season.
