Penguins forward Kunitz out against Flyers

Saturday, 03.15.2014 / 1:26 PM | Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

PHILADELPHIA -- The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without forward Chris Kunitz when they open a home-and-home weekend set against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.

Kunitz sat out practice after sustaining a lower-body injury in the third period of the Penguins' 2-0 win Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. He skated Friday but was ruled unavailable Saturday.

Replacing Kunitz will be Taylor Pyatt, who will skate alongside center Sidney Crosby and right wing Lee Stempniak.

The Penguins also are without forward James Neal, who this week was ruled out indefinitely because of a concussion.

Goalie Steve Mason will for the Flyers. In five games against the Penguins, Mason is 2-2-1 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. In his only start against the Penguins this season, he allowed three goals on 34 shots in a 4-1 Flyers home loss on Oct. 17.

The Penguins will counter with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury has allowed three goals on 46 shots in two games against the Flyers this season.

Here are the projected lineups for the Penguins and Flyers:

PENGUINS

Taylor Pyatt - Sidney Crosby - Lee Stempniak

Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - Brian Gibbons

Tanner Glass - Brandon Sutter - Marcel Goc

Craig Adams - Joe Vitale - Jayson Megna

Brooks Orpik - Olli Maatta

Matt Niskanen - Rob Scuderi

Simon Despres - Deryk Engelland

Marc-Andre Fleury

Jeff Zatkoff