1. Malkin hurt
Pens center Evgeni Malkin will miss Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks at PPG Paints Arena with an upper-body injury, sustained during a game.
Malkin, who did not practice Tuesday, hasn't been ruled out for Black Friday's showdown in Boston.
"He'll be re-evaluated on Thursday for his status on the weekend," head coach Mike Sullivan said.
With Malkin out, the team's center situation for tomorrow will depend a lot on whether or not center Carter Rowney is available. If Rowney is able to play then Pittsburgh would once again have four healthy centers with Rowney, Sidney Crosby, Riley Sheahan and Greg McKegg.
Rowney missed the last 13 games with a hand injury, but has been practicing and participated in his first full-contact practice on Tuesday.
Rowney's broken hand has fully healed and he said there are no issues in regard to gripping his stick, handling the puck, taking or receiving passes. It's just a matter of working back into game shape.
"It's just getting back to the pace and making those quick decisions," Rowney said. "It's just getting adjusted to being back on the ice with the team."
If Rowney isn't able to return for Wednesday, the Penguins could shift Jake Guentzel from wing to center, which is the position he played in college.
"He's a cerebral player. He distributes the puck well. I think he has a good, solid two-way game," Sullivan said. "He's a good player. If we do choose to use him there I think he can make the adjustment."
The Penguins could also recall a center from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Thomas DiPauli, Teddy Blueger and Jean-Sebastien Dea are among the options for Pittsburgh.
2. Archie
Regardless of what happens at the center position, it appears that forward Josh Archibald will be back in the lineup.
Archibald took line rushes in each of the past two practices. Monday he skated on the fourth line while Tuesday he was positioned on the third line.
"It's nice to get in some rushes instead of just switching out here and there, but things change day-to-day," Archibald said. "That's how I have to take it."
Tom Kuhnhackl has been the odd-man out the past two days.
3. Workflow
Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Guentzel-Kessel
Hagelin-Sheahan-Archibald
McKegg-Rowney-Reaves
(Kuhnhackl)
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Cole
(Ruhwedel)
