Penguins Make Lineup Changes; Malkin & Bunting Appear Ready

CRANBERRY — The Pittsburgh Penguins are in need of wins. Their recent run of strong play has tapered just slightly, and just enough to be on the wrong side of seven of their last nine games, including three that went beyond regulation.

Tuesday, coach Mike Sullivan appeared to shuffle his lineup in advance of the Penguins hosting the Seattle Kraken at PPG Paints Arena.

The good news for the team is that center Evgeni Malkin participated fully in the morning skate. With a day off Monday following back-to-back games, the skate was a full team activity, and Malkin not only took line rushes but also participated in power play drills.

He’s taken rushes over the past week while absent with an upper-body injury, but he has not taken power play drills before.

Sullivan reconfigured his lines, and while fans have questioned Matt Nieto’s lineup spot, advocating in favor of Jesse Puljujarvi, both are likely out of the lineup on Tuesday.

With the return of Philip Tomasino and Malkin, Anthony Beauvillier will be on the fourth line, and Tomasino will take a spot on the third.

Also, after a one-game absence due to his car wreck outside the arena as he reported for the game, Bunting will play Tuesday.

Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Cody Glass

Drew O’Connor-Kevin Hayes-Philip Tomasino

Anthony Beauvillier-Blake-Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Defense

Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Owen Pickering-P.O Joseph

Goalie: Tristan Jarry