Scratches
D Ben Lovejoy (Healthy)
RW Pascal Dupuis (Baby)
Pittsburgh Vs. Dallas
Wednesday night's tilt against the Dallas Stars was supposed to be the triumphant return of Penguins center Jordan Staal to the lineup. But the Hockey Gods had other plans for Staal, as he
broke his hand during Monday's practice.
So the Staal-less Penguins will travel to Dallas with a couple changes in the lines up front.
Game Time- 8:30. TV- RIS, FSN Pittsburgh.
The Lineup
Forwards:
Congratulations to Penguins winger Pascal Dupuis, who hightailed it out of Dallas just in time to be with his wife, Carole-Lyne, as the couple welcomed their fourth child into the world.
With another long-term injury to Staal, many on this board have been calling for Evgeni Malkin to move back to center. It looks like we'll see that happen Wednesday night in Dallas, as Malkin took that position during the morning skate. Malkin, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is very probable to play tonight.
Projected Forward Lines:
Kunitz-Crosby-Comrie
Cooke-Malkin-Kennedy
Talbot-Letestu-Asham
Rupp-Adams-Godard
Malkin in the second-line center slot is something we could see until Staal return (6 weeks, hand) to the lineup.
The timely birth of Dupuis' child has given Mike Comrie, who has taken a lot of justified heat around these parts lately, a golden opportunity to skate on the first line with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. Comrie needs a fire lit under him and hopefully this will do it.
I like Mark Letestu in the third-line center role and feel the team should find a way to keep him there when Staal returns, but he has plenty of time to play either well or shoddy between now and then.
Defense:
After the Staal fiasco, the Penguins look to get some good news. The team should be dressing a complete, healthy defense Wednesday night in Dallas.
Kris Letang (hand) and Alex Goligoski (undisclosed) have been day-to-day and both are slated to dress tonight.
Zbynek Michalek has not played since Oct. 11, a game that saw him injure his shoulder against the New Jersey Devils. Michalek is expected to make his return Wednesday night.
Projected Defensive Pairings:
Michalek-Orpik
Letang-Martin
Goligoski-Engelland/Lovejoy
I would expect Michalek to see some time with Brooks Orpik, but head coach Dan Bylsma could very well rotate other players through on this spot if he feels Michalek is not ready to play top-pair minutes.
It is also assumed that either Ben Lovejoy or Deryk Engelland will be Wednesday's healthy scratch, but it is unclear which one. Engelland has provided a ton of grit and energy to the team lately and I feel this gives him an edge over Lovejoy at this point.
Bylsma did not rule out dressing seven defensemen, but that seems like a long-shot situation.
Goaltending:
It's hard to deny Brent Johnson getting the start Wednesday night, fresh off a shutout of the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. I would expect Johnson to get the nod; the team might as well ride his current hot streak. But, of course, nothing is guaranteed.
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