Carter, who usually plays on ‘That 70’s line’ with Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, moved to the top-line on Monday with both Toffoli (mono) and Person (broken leg) out indefinitely. Carter is skating with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik, a line that should have no trouble generating offence.
Letang missed practice on Thursday, but returned to practice on Friday and is fully expected to play tomorrow vs. the Canadiens. Monitor his status during the Pens’ morning skate.
Nieto has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury that he suffered on December 4th. Nieto will play on the fourth line with Micheal Haley and Andrew Desjardins. He has nine points (3G / 6A) in 26 games this season.
Ouellet, 21, has been recalled because Jakub Kindl is out with a lower-body injury. Ouellet will be in the lineup on Wednesday. He has been great for the Red Wings this season and has tallied two points (1G / 1A) in nine games with Detroit. He has registered eight points (1G / 7A) in 21 games with Grand Rapids.
Letang was listed as questionable and when Brian Dumoulin was recalled this morning it looked like Letang wouldn’t play, but coach Mike Johnston confirmed that Letang will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Devils. Letand has three goals and one assist in eight games since returning to the lineup on December 12th.
Letang, who suffered a lower-body injury late in Saturday’s game, might not be available tonight. The Penguins recalled Brian Dumoulin this morning which suggests Letang won’t be available, but monitor his status during the morning skate to be sure.
Ouellet, 21, played well in four games during his recall. He failed to record a point, but had an even plus/minus rating while averaging over 18 minutes per game. He had to be sent down in order for the Red Wings to recall Thomas McCollum.
Crosby has missed the last three games with mumps. He was listed as a game time decision, but will play vs. The Avs. He will skate with Nick Spaling and Patrick Hornqvist.
Crosby took part in the Penguins morning skate and could return tonight after missed three games with mumps. He skated on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist; a line that is sure to bring a ton of offence. Monitor Crosby’s status during pre game warmups starting at 6:30 PM ET.
Eller was cleared for contact on Wednesday and was in the morning skate, but it remains to be seen if he will return after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury. If Eller is not available, Eric Tangradi will play.
Crosby has missed the last three games with the mumps virus, but was on the ice this morning and GM Jim Rutherford said that “there is a chance” that Crosby plays on Thursday vs. Colorado. Monitor his status during the Penguins morning skate tomorrow.
Eller was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but he skated as an extra, which suggests that he will not play tomorrow vs. the Ducks.
Crosby will not play on Monday, but passing the infectious stage means that he will be able to return to practice. The Penguins are back in action on Thursday, so monitor his status leading up to Thursday’s clash with the Avalanche.
The Penguins confirmed that Crosby has been diagnosed with mumps and will not play on Monday vs. the Lightning. Crosby's status will be monitored daily, but the team believes that he will be through the infectious period by Monday. Monitor his status leading up to Thursday's contest vs. the Avs.
This is not surprising news after the picture of his swollen face surfaced. Mumps effects everyone differently so the timeline for his return is uncertain. The Penguins are expected to hold a press conference at 11:30 PM ET, where more details should be released.
Rust, 22, was recalled last week, but never got into the lineup. He has 10 goals and four assists (14 points) in 25 games with WBS. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight for Jayson Megna, who was sent back to WBS when Rust was recalled.
As expected, Letang should be back in tonight after missing five games with a groin injury. He should be activated in all formats.
Crosby is dealing with an illness and will be held out of the next two games as a precaution. He will undergo further testing in the next few days to determine the nature of the illness. The Penguins are expected to get Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang back tonight, but losing Crosby is detrimental.
Nieto, who reportedly suffered a setback on Wednesday, will miss his fifth consecutive game with a lower-body injury that he suffered on December 4th. He remains day-to-day.
With Danny DeKeyser out, Xavier Ouellet was recalled on Thursday and will play tonight vs. Florida. Ouellet has one goal and one assist in five games with the Red Wings this season. He will be paired with Jakub Kindl tonight.
