PITTSBURGH -- The projected lines and defensemen pairings for tonight's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning at Consol Energy Center:
LIGHTNING
Cory Conacher - Steven Stamkos - Teddy Purcell
Alex Killorn - Vincent Lecavalier - Martin St. Louis
Ondrej Palat - Nate Thompson - Tom Pyatt
Adam Hall - BJ Crombeen
Injured: Ryan Malone, Benoit Pouliot
Scratches: Marc-Andre Bergeron, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Brendan Mikkelson
Confusion reigns after coach Guy Boucher declared Bergeron, Labrie and Mikkelson as out for tonight, with Malone and Pouliot still unable to play due to injury. The Lightning dressed seven defensemen Saturday in Boston, so Salo's return from a lower-body injury, theoretically, could mean Bergeron and Mikkelson are scratched. But an 18th player is needed for the lineup tonight.
PENGUINS
Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke – Evgeni Malkin – James Neal
Dustin Jeffrey - Brandon Sutter – Tyler Kennedy
Tanner Glass – Joe Vitale – Craig Adams
Simon Despres – Deryk Engelland
Injured: Paul Martin
Scratches: Beau Bennett, Robert Bortuzzo
Malkin returns and is slotted next familiar running mate Neal. Cooke was on his left wing during the morning skate in favor of rookie Bennett, who has three points in his past four games. If the lines the Penguins had during the morning skate hold, Jeffrey and Vitale kept their spots on the third and fourth lines, respectively. Coming off what Dan Bylsma described as "maybe his best game," rookie Despres figures to keep his spot in the lineup. He and Bortuzzo have split games as the sixth defenseman. Signed last week, veteran Eaton was steady in his season debut Saturday in Montreal.
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