Penguins Practice: Updates on Malkin, Koppanen & Other Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Joona Koppanen on an emergency basis, but there were no correlating absences at practice Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Instead, it seems to be a just-in-case situation with the team embarking on a three-game road trip.

“We’ve got a few guys that are banged up (but) they’ll all make the trip,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said after practice.

Also making the trip, Sullivan said, is injured center Evgeni Malkin, who has missed the past three games. Malkin and defenseman P.O Joseph, who is on IR, skated before practice. Injured forward Tommy Novak did not. Joseph and Novak apparently will not be with the club for road games against St. Louis, Dallas and Chicago.

This is the Penguins’ last multiple-game road trip of the season.

The Penguins used the same lines and defensive pairings in practice from the previous few days, save for Koppanen rotating with Blake Lizotte on the fourth line. Koppanen is not eligible to play unless injuries or illness leave the Penguins short of a full contingent.

Forward Emil Bemstrom, who cleared waivers on Tuesday, remained with the team and practiced.

Penguins Lines

Rutger McGroarty-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Connor Dewar-Rickard Rakell-Ville Koivunen

Philip Tomasino-Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari

Danton Heinen-Blake Lizotte/Joona Koppanen-Emil Bemstrom

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Conor Timmins-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves/Vladimir Kolyachonok-Ryan Shea

Acciari Unsung, Not Unbruised

Noel Acciari laughed at the question. How many ice bags does he use on any given day?

“Quite a bit,” he said. “Spend some time on the training table. They do a great job to keep me coming back out. … Lot of ice.”

Acciari leads the Penguins with 168 hits and 98 blocked shots. It’s become a familiar sight for him to block a shot and head back to the bench limping or shaking a hand in pain.

Presumably at least in part because of that sort of commitment and his willingness to put up with the pain, Acciari this week was named the recipient of the team’s unsung hero award. Offensively, he has five goals, 11 points.

“I’m honored. That means a lot to me,” Acciari said of the award, which is decided on a vote of his teammates. “I would do anything for every one of these guys, whether it’s blocking a shot or throwing a hit or trying to get on the scoresheet whenever I can. I’ll do whatever I can to help this team. I appreciate their trust in me.”