Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will be a “game-time” decision for Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.
Coach Dan Muse announced his status approximately two hours before the opening faceoff.
Malkin missed a practice session in Cranberry on Friday due to an unspecified ailment. He has been hindered in some fashion by a left shoulder injury since early December.
Largely deployed on the right wing of the second line as of late, Malkin had scored 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 37 games this season while averaging 17:34 of ice time per contest.
Notes:
• Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was placed on injured reserve due to a fracture in an unspecified foot.
Per Muse, Letang was injured during a 6-2 home win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Last week, he was sidelined for two games due to a separate ailment.
Primarily stationed on the right side of the second pairing, Letang has posted 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 50 games this season while averaging 22:06 of ice time per contest.
• Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner is scheduled to start Saturday’s game. In 34 games this season, Skinner has an 18-12-4 record, a 2.65 goals against average, an .896 save percentage and two shutouts.
Acquired in a trade on Dec. 12, Skinner has faced the Rangers twice this season, with each contest coming while he was still a member of the Edmonton Oilers.
After making 30 saves in a 2-0 road win on Oct. 14, Skinner made 31 saves on 35 shots in a 4-3 overtime home loss on Oct. 30.
• Penguins forward Bryan Rust is serving the second contest of a three-game suspension.
• The Penguins enter the contest with a five-game winning streak.
• Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson has 699 career assists.
• Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has 397 career assists.
• Former Penguins forward Conor Sheary is designated to long-term injured reserve for the Rangers due to an undisclosed ailment.
• The opening faceoff is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.
• Prior to the game, members of the Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup championship squad are scheduled to be honored in recognition of the 10th anniversary of their success.
• The scheduled referees are Eric Furlatt (No. 27) and Chris Lee (No. 28), while the linespersons are Tyson Baker (No. 88) and Shandor Alphonso (No. 52).
