No Injured Players, Including Tanev, Back At Penguins Practice

Judging from Pittsburgh Penguins practice Tuesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, it doesn’t seem overly likely that the team will get any of its injured players back for Wednesday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Winger Brandon Tanev has missed two games but was listed as a game-time decision Sunday, day to day overall. He did not join the team for practice Tuesday, although he seemed the most likely to be back. An update could be forthcoming from coach Mike Sullivan.

Second-line winger Jason Zucker remains out. He has missed the past 15 games because of an undisclosed injury but has been skating separately from practice and seemed to be improving at an accelerated pace compared to the “longer term” prognosis originally offered by the team.

Also out longer term is third-line center Teddy Blueger, who has been out the past four games.

Center Evgeni Malkin has missed three games and is out week to week because of a lower-body injury that seemed to be a right knee or leg problem.

Defenseman Mark Friedman, who has missed the past nine games, was not at practice. He has been skating, including at least one morning skate with the team.

After five games in seven days, a 2-2-1 adventure, the Penguins had a day off Monday. They resumed activities Tuesday with a crisp 45-minute practice in advance of back-to-back home games against Buffalo on Wednesday and Thursday.

For the healthy players who did participate, here were the alignments.

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Zach Aston-Reese/Jared McCann-Kasperi Kapanen

Evan Rodrigues-Mark Jankowski-Sam Lafferty

Colton Sceviour-Frederick Gaudreau-Anthony Angello

(Radim Zohorna)

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang

Mike Matheson-Cody Ceci

Marcus Pettersson-John Marino

Juuso Riikola-Chad Ruhwedel