Malkin Late Injury Scratch; Penguins Injury Updates

TAMPA, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Penguins were surprisingly without Evgeni Malkin Tuesday when they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.

The team announced during warmup that Malkin was out with an upper body injury. No further details were released.

The absence was a surprise, as Malkin was a full participant in the morning skate Tuesday, filling his customary second-line spot in the Penguins lineup. He was slated to skate with Conor Dewar and Philip Tomasino, as he’s done over the past three games.

In Malkin’s place, Kevin Hayes slid up to the second line center spot with Tomasino and Dewar. Coach Mike Sullivan placed Joona Koppanen in the middle of the fourth line, where Hayes was supposed to play, and Emil Bemstrom drew into the lineup.

Bemstrom skated as the extra forward during the morning skate.

Read More: Penguins Game 73, Bolt Action; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Lightning

Ryan Shea

Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea appeared to be a full participant at the morning skate–his first action with the team since suffering an upper-body injury in Minnesota on March 9.

P.O Joseph and Tommy Novak remain out and have not yet skated with the team. Joseph is on injured reserve.