Injured Penguins skate, but questionable for Game 1

Sunday, 04.13.2014 / 12:49 PM | Wes Crosby - NHL.com Correspondent

PITTSBURGH -- Three injured players participated in the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sunday morning skate, but did not technically rejoin practice.

Forwards Evgeni Malkin, Joe Vitale and Chris Conner skated with the Penguins in an optional skate before their game against the Ottawa Senators. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said they chose to take the option to skate, but should not be considered to have rejoined Pittsburgh at practice.

Malkin, Vitale and Conner will not play in Pittsburgh's regular-season finale and Bylsma could not confirm if they would be healthy to play in Game 1 of the Penguins' first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I don't have an expectation, nor do I have a definitive answer on what players will be available for Game 1," Bylsma said.

Bylsma also did not provide updates on forward Chris Kunitz and defenseman Brooks Orpik, who did not play Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers with undisclosed injuries that have them listed as day to day. Orpik chose to skate Sunday and Kunitz was absent.

Orpik said the Penguins must treat their game against Ottawa as they would any other game, or risk consequences.

"You play it safe, then you let your guard down and you're probably more susceptible to getting injured or getting embarrassed," Orpik said. "We're playing against a pretty good hockey team that probably didn't have things go the way they wanted them to this year, but there's a lot of talent over there and a lot of pride there.

"Knowing the guys there, I'm sure they're not just going to pack it in."

The Senators did not hold a morning skate after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 1-0 on Saturday. Ottawa announced Saturday forward Mika Zibanejad will not play against the Penguins.

Here are the expected lineups for the Penguins and Senators:

PENGUINS

Beau Bennett – Sidney Crosby – Lee Stempniak

Brian Gibbons – Jussi Jokinen – James Neal

Taylor Pyatt – Brandon Sutter – Jayson Megna

Harry Zolnierczyk – Craig Adams – Deryk Engelland

Kris Letang – Rob Scuderi

Robert Bortuzzo – Paul Martin

Olli Maatta – Matt Niskanen

Jeff Zatkoff

Marc-Andre Fleury

Injured: Chris Kunitz (undisclosed), Brooks Orpik (undisclosed), Evgeni Malkin (foot), Marcel Goc (foot), Joe Vitale (mid body), Chris Conner (broken foot), Pascal Dupuis (ACL), Tomas Vokoun (pelvis)