Penguins forward Jared McCann sidelined

Penguins forward Jared McCann is day to day because of an undisclosed injury according to coach Mike Sullivan.

McCann skipped practice at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. He has been serving as the team’s second-line center since Evgeni Malkin left the lineup because of an undisclosed ailment on Oct. 5. In six games this season, McCann had three points (two goals, one assist).

In his place on the second line was rookie forward Sam Lafferty, listed as a center but normally deployed as a right wing on the fourth line through the first four games of his NHL career.

“Based on his performance over the last week or so, I think he’s shown everybody his ability to play at this level,” Sullivan said. “He can really skate. He’s got a good 200-foot game. So, that’s a possibility. I’m not saying we’re going to go that route, but that’s certainly an option.”

Were McCann to be sidelined for Wednesday’s home game against the Colorado Avalanche, a recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would be required to dress a full complement of forwards. On Oct. 14, the team recalled Andrew Agozzino but returned him to the AHL Penguins on Friday.

With Lafferty promoted, reserve defenseman Juuso Riikola served as the right wing on the fourth line during practice.

The Penguins’ lines and pairs in practice were:

Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Dominik Simon

Dominik Kahun – Sam Lafferty – Patric Hornqvist

Zach Aston-Reese – Teddy Blueger – Brandon Tanev

Adam Johnson – Joseph Blandisi – Juuso Riikola

Brian Dumoulin – Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson – Justin Schultz

Jack Johnson – John Marino

Erik Gudbranson – Chad Ruhwedel

In addition to Malkin, fellow forwards Nick Bjugstad, Alex Galchenyuk and Bryan Rust as well as defenseman Zach Trotman are on injured reserve.

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