Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for an eight-minute stretch due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed any injury concerns following the game but was not able to participate in a full practice on Thursday. Crosby has seven points (4G / 3A) during a five-game point streak.
Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for an eight-minute stretch due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed any injury concerns following the game but has stated after practice on Wednesday that he is being evaluated. Crosby has seven points (4G / 3A) during a five-game point streak.
The Penguins have won two straight, including a 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators in their most recent outing when Nedeljkovic saved all 25 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. The 29-year-old netminder has a 3.02 GAA and .899 SV% in 25 games this season (11-9-4). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as +130 home underdogs against a New Jersey Devils squad that defeated them 3-0 on December 21st.
Heinen was acquired from Vancouver on Friday night and is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for Saturday's game, but it's unclear if he will make his Penguins season debut or not. Heinen has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 51 games this season.
Lizotte returns to the Penguins lineup after missing the last three games with an illness. Matt Nieto will sit in his place.
Nieto will take a seat on Wednesday to make way for the return of Blake Lizotte (illness). Nieto has just one goal and two assists in 28 games this season.
The Penguins have been outscored 11-3 in their last three games (0-3-0) and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes on Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. Nedeljkovic was solid in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%), but came up short in a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.21 GAA and .894 SV% in 23 appearances (9-9-4). The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as +120 road underdogs against a Utah team amid a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
Rust missed Saturday's game with a lower-body injury but will return to the Penguins lineup on Monday. The 32-year-old forward is enjoying a productive season, racking up 19 goals and 19 assists in 43 games.
Malkin exited Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken due to a lower-body injury in the first period after only 3:00 time-on-ice. The 38-year-old Malkin is averaging 18:03 time-on-ice and has 34 points (9G / 25A) in 47 games this season. Pittsburgh has recalled Jesse Puljujarvi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in a corresponding move.
The Penguins have been outscored 9-2 in their last two games (0-2-0) and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes on Monday against the San Jose Sharks. Nedeljkovic struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year-old netminder has a 3.26 GAA and .893 SV% in 22 appearances this season (9-8-4). The Penguins enter Monday's contest as -158 road favorites against a Sharks team amid a six-game losing skid (0-6-0).
Malkin exited Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken due to a lower-body injury in the first period after only 3:00 time-on-ice. The 38-year-old Malkin is averaging 18:03 time-on-ice and has 34 points (9G / 25A) in 47 games this season. Pittsburgh has recalled Jesse Puljujarvi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in a corresponding move.
