Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is expected to miss his seventh consecutive game. Malkin last played against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 15, two days after he sustained an upper-body injury when he blocked a shot against the Calgary Flames. The Penguins won their first three games without Malkin, but have lost their past three (0-1-2), including a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Forward Conor Sheary, who coach Mike Sullivan said is a game-time decision, could be in the lineup after he sustained a lower-body injury against Philadelphia. Sheary has helped make up for Malkin's absence with seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past six games. "I think I should be good," Sheary said. "Yesterday was kind of the test day and this morning, I felt good." The Penguins (103 points) will attempt to move into a second-place tie with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is two points behind Columbus and five behind the division-leading Washington Capitals. Each team has seven games remaining. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start. Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (upper body) likely will play after missing the game Sunday. Forward Matt Cullen skated Wednesday and is expected to play after missing practice Tuesday with an undisclosed illness.
