Pittsburgh Penguins News

Skinner and the Oilers struggled in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in the 5-1 defeat. That said, Skinner has been more consistent than Calvin Pickard this season and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Skinner boasts a 2.86 GAA and .889 SV% in 15 games this season (7-5-3). The Oilers enter Wednesday's contest as +107 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored two or fewer goals in their last two games (1-0-1).

Luca Del Bel Belluz will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Tuesday, sending Chinakhov to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Chinakhov has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.

Koivunen has a whopping 11 points (4G / 7A) in six AHL games, but only one point (0G / 1A) in seven games at the NHL level. He remains out week-to-week, resulting Pittsburgh recalled Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

The Oilers' up-and-down season continues, but they have found a glimpse of consistency lately from Skinner, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old Skinner has won three straight games, saving 71 of 79 shots (.899 SV%) in the process. He has a 2.77 GAA and .891 SV% in 14 games this season (7-4-3). The Oilers enter Monday's action as -155 road favorites against a Sabres team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 6-8-4 record.

With Tristan Jarry (lower body) sidelined week-to-week, Silovs has become the de facto starting netminder for Pittsburgh and will tend the twine on Friday in Sweden against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 24-year-old Silovs was excellent in his most recent game, but did not receive ample goal support, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.49 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games this season (4-2-3). The Penguins enter Friday's overseas matchup as -119 favorites against a Predators team on a three-game losing skid.

The Oilers had a 5-4 come-from-behind overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, snapping a three-game losing skid (0-3-0), and will roll with Skinner on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Skinner has struggled immensely lately, posting a 3.30 GAA and .863 SV% in his last six games, but has salvaged a serviceable 3-1-2 record. The 27-year-old goalie has a 2.91 GAA and .883 SV% in 12 games this season (5-4-3). The Oilers enter the action on Wednesday as -131 road favorites against a Flyers team that has earned points in three straight games (2-0-1).

Larsson was drafted in the sixth-round, 167th-overall by the Detroit Red Wings, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has never played an NHL game and is expected to join Pittsburgh in Sweden to precautionarily serve as the team's third goalie. The 27-year-old Larsson has a 2.92 GAA and .891 SV% in five games (3-0-1) with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) this season.

The Oilers hope to rebound from an embarrassing 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, turning to Skinner between the pipes on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Skinner was in the crease for four of the nine goals on Saturday before being replaced by Calvin Pickard. The 27-year-old Skinner has a 2.81 GAA and .889 SV% in 11 games this season (4-4-3). The Oilers enter Monday's contest as -167 home favorites against a Blue Jackets team amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

With Arturs Silovs getting the start on Saturday, Murashov will make his first career start on Sunday. Murashov had an outstanding start to the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), where he won AHL Player of the Month in October, going 5-2-0 with a 1.73 GAA and .931 SV% in seven games.

With Arturs Silovs getting the start on Saturday, Murashov is expected to make his first career start on Sunday. Murashov had an outstanding start to the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), where he won AHL Player of the Month in October, going 5-2-0 with a 1.73 GAA and .931 SV% in seven games.

Hayes will replace Philip Tomasino in the lineup on Saturday, making his season debut on the third line and PP2. Hayes had 13 goals and 10 assist (23 points) in a depth role for the Penguins last season.

The Penguins announced on Friday that Hallander is expected to miss a minimum of three months with a blood clot in his left leg. His move to IR opened up a roster spot for Kevin Hayes to be activated ahead of Saturday's game.

Hayes was a full participant in Friday's practice and appears set to make his season debut on Saturday. The 33-year-old veteran centre, is expected to start on the third line and second power-play unit. He had 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) in 64 games last season.

The Oilers have given up two-goal leads in each of their last two games (0-1-1), and hope to return to the win column on Saturday with Skinner tending the twine against the Colorado Avalanche. Edmonton has struggled between the pipes this season, but has received more consistent goaltending from Skinner, who has a 2.54 GAA and .899 SV% in 10 games (4-3-3).