The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed centers Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte on injured reserve with upper-body injuries, both listed as week-to-week. To address the absences, the team recalled forwards Sam Poulin and Danton Heinen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Meanwhile, Rickard Rakell took a positive step in his recovery by participating in full-contact practice.
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced significant setbacks on Tuesday when they placed star center Evgeni Malkin and fellow center Blake Lizotte on injured reserve, both with upper-body injuries and expected to be out week-to-week. Malkin, the team's second-leading scorer with 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 26 games, had been productive recently, recording two goals and an assist in a 4-3 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday before missing a 3-2 shootout loss at the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Lizotte, a key contributor on the fourth line and top penalty killer, has five points (three goals, two assists) in 27 games, including an assist in 13:59 of ice time during Sunday's game.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby acknowledged the challenge of Malkin's absence, stating, "It's not easy to replace 'Geno.' Pretty much can't. I think it's just by committee. He's been playing great hockey for us, so we're all going to have to step up and get some points here and play some good hockey until he's back."
To bolster their roster, the Penguins recalled Sam Poulin and Danton Heinen from the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Poulin, a 6-foot-2, 213-pound forward, played two games with Pittsburgh last month without recording a point and has yet to score in 15 career NHL appearances. Heinen, who has one assist in nine games this season, is expected to center the fourth line, with Poulin serving as the extra forward based on morning line rushes.
There was some positive news on the injury front as forward Rickard Rakell skated with the team for the first time since undergoing surgery in October. Rakell, who has missed the past 19 games, participated in full-contact drills during Tuesday's pregame skate, though coach Dan Muse noted limited contact. General manager Kyle Dubas had previously indicated Rakell would be sidelined for three to four more weeks.
The Penguins are set to host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, with puck drop at 7:08 p.m.