Penguins Place Evgeni Malkin on Injured Reserve with Upper-Body Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday that they have placed center Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. This move comes after the 39-year-old Russian sat out a shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Malkin, who is in the final season of his contract with the Penguins, has been off to one of the better starts of his 20-year career, with eight goals and 21 assists in 26 games.
Malkin’s injury is a significant blow to the Penguins, who have been one of the surprise teams in the NHL this season. Despite modest expectations at the start of the year, Pittsburgh is firmly in contention in the competitive Metropolitan Division. The team’s success can be attributed in part to Malkin’s strong play, as well as the contributions of other key players. According to NHL.com, the Penguins have been one of the top teams in the league in terms of goal scoring, with an average of 3.5 goals per game.
Injury Update and Roster Moves
In addition to Malkin, the Penguins also placed forward Blake Lizotte on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Lizotte has three goals and two assists in 27 games this season. Both Malkin and Lizotte are listed as week-to-week, according to the team. To fill out the roster, the Penguins recalled forwards Danton Heinen and Sam Poulin from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The team is set to host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, the start of a five-game homestand.
The Penguins’ injury woes are a concern, but the team remains optimistic about their chances this season. With a strong lineup and a talented group of players, Pittsburgh is well-positioned to make a deep run in the playoffs. As noted by ESPN, the Penguins have a strong team culture and a experienced coaching staff, which should help them navigate the challenges of the season.
For more information on the Pittsburgh Penguins and the NHL, visit NHL.com or ESPN.com. The Penguins’ next game is on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, and fans can catch the action on NHL.tv or on local television.
