(UPDATED) Penguins Game 52, In the Tank; Lines, Notes & How to Watch vs. Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The symbolism could not be more appropriate Monday as the sinking Pittsburgh Penguins (20-23-8) are in the shark tank to face the rebuilding San Jose Sharks (14-32-6), who boast the 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini at SAP Arena.

The puck drops just after 10:30 EST.

You may need to grab some coffee or a six-pack of Red Bull. The Penguins have scored a combined two goals over their last two games, losing to the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken. In fact, the Penguins have managed just one goal in three of their last four games. Adding to the negativity, the team is seven or more points out of a playoff spot and has the worst goal differential in the Eastern Conference, -39.

Only Western Conference teams Chicago (-42) and San Jose (-58) are worse.

The Penguins struggled to finish chances against Seattle Saturday afternoon. The advanced metrics from NaturalStatTrick.com, derived from automated calculations, showed the Penguins had a 16-1 high-danger chance advantage, but they lost 4-1.

Read More: Sleepy in Seattle, Penguins Tanking Continues; Malkin Injured

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin suffered a lower-body injury in the first period Saturday and did not return. He attempted an open-ice hit on Chandler Stephenson but missed. Stephenson’s shin directly contacted Malkin’s knee. Malkin went to the locker room, returned for one more shift, and then left the game.

The struggling Penguins are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Coach Mike Sullivan will presumably update Malkin’s status at the morning skate on Monday and announce the starting goalie. Winger Bryan Rust is also day-to-day, so the Penguins are down to 12 healthy forwards, but Blake Lizotte has missed the last two games due to illness.

UPDATE: The team placed Malkin on injured reserve and recalled Jesse Puljujajarvi. Bryan Rust was a participant in the morning skate.

San Jose is one of the few teams in worse shape than the Penguins. They’ve lost nine of their last 10 games, including the last five. Their last win was Jan. 14 over the Detroit Red Wings. Over the weekend, they lost a home-and-home series against the Nashville Predators, allowing 13 goals.

Follow San Jose Hockey Now for in-depth Sharks and Celebrini coverage.

Possible Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Cody Glass-Anthony Beauvillier

Drew O’Connor-Kewvin Hayes-Philip Tomasino

Boko Imama-Noel Acciari-Matt Nieto

Defense

Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Goalies: Alex Nedelkovic

Sharks Lines

Fabian Zetterlund-Mikael Granlund-Will Smith

William Eklund-Macklin Celebrini-Tyler Toffoli

Nikolai Kovalenko-Alex Wennberg-Luke Kunin

Barclay Goodrow-Colin White-Walker Duehr

Defense

Jake Walman-Cody Ceci

Mario Ferraro-Timothy Liljegren

Marc-Edouard Vlasic (Pickles!)-Henry Thrun

Goalies: Yaroslav Askarov/Alexandar Georgiev

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 26.9%, 6th. Penguins penalty kill: 78.9%, 17th.

Sharks Power Play: 18.1%, 26th. Sharks Penalty Kill: 76.1%, 24th

Penguins Game Notes

The Penguins have won six of their last seven games against San Jose and are averaging 5.14 goals per game. They have also won three in a row.

The Penguins might strongly hope to get Bryan Rust back in the lineup on Monday. He has 11 points (6-5-11) in his last six games against the Sharks.

Erik Karlsson has 19 points (5-14-19) in 16 career games against his former team. He has points in 11 of his last 12 games versus San Jose (4-13-17).

Michael Bunting led the Penguins with nine power-play goals, which is tied for sixth in the NHL.

How to Watch

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: 105.9 The X