Pittsburgh Penguins News

Letang was a surprise scratch for Friday night's game with the team not announcing his absence prior to the official roster report being finalized. We should get an update on his status ahead of Pittsburgh's game in Washington on Saturday.

Owen Pickering will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Graves to re-enter the lineup for the first time since January 3rd. The 29-year-old Graves is averaging 15:25 time-on-ice and has zero points, 40 blocks, and 36 hits in 31 games this season.

Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season. Sam Malinski will exit the lineup to accommodate Girard's return.

With Tristan Jarry placed on waivers, Pittsburgh has recalled Blomqvist from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). The 23-year-old Blomqvist has a 2.93 GAA and .912 SV% in 12 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season (6-4-2). He was serviceable in a small sample at the NHL level earlier this season, posting a 3.60 GAA and .904 SV% in eight games (3-5-0).

Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but has returned to practice. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season.

Malkin has missed the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Malkin is averaging 18:35 time-on-ice, recording 71 shots and 32 points (8G / 24A) in 41 games this season.

Malkin has missed the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but could draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. Malkin is averaging 18:35 time-on-ice, recording 71 shots and 32 points (8G / 24A) in 41 games this season.

Kuzmenko has been in and out of the lineup lately and will return to a familiar place on the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Monday when the Flames visit the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Kuzmenko has only one point (0G / 1A) in his last 16 games. Rory Kernis will draw into Calgary's lineup on Monday, replacing Kuzmenko.

Silovs being reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL) likely indicated that Thatcher Demko (back) is ready to return to Vancouver's lineup. Silovs began the season in Vancouver but has predominantly been in the AHL since Demko debuted. The 23-year-old Silovs has a 2.44 GAA and .900 SV% in five games with Abbottsford (AHL).

Brendan Smith will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, allowing Dumba to re-enter the lineup from a one-game absence. Dumba is averaging 15:37 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2014-15, recording one point (0G / 1A), 20 blocks, and 33 hits in 22 games this season.

Mac Pacioretty will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing Robertson to return from a one-game absence. The 23-year-old Robertson is averaging 12:02 time-on-ice and has 10 points (6G / 4A) in 34 games this season.

Malkin did not play the Penguins previous game, a late scratch due to an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Malkin is averaging 18:35 time-on-ice, recording 71 shots and 32 points (8G / 24A) in 41 games this season.

Novak has not played since December 31st, missing two games, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 27-year-old Novak only has nine points (5G / 4A) in 31 games after scoring 45 (18G / 27A) in 71 games last season.

Malkin was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day, putting his status in jeopardy for Pittsburgh's game against the Oilers on Thursday.