Penguins Practice: Same Look, Raising Lineup Questions

Everything looked status quo for the Pittsburgh Penguins at their practice Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

That is, there were no changes from Sunday, when they practiced for the first time coming out of their bye week/All-Star break.

Status quo Monday means there could be changes Tuesday when the Colorado Avalanche visit PPG Paints Arena, considering a player or two could be ready to return from injury, potentially affecting the lineup as the Penguins head into the final two months of the season.

Forwards Josh Archibald and Kasperi Kapanen, who are on IR but who are expected to be game-time decisions Tuesday, were again full participants.

Those two would be expected to occupy spots on the bottom two lines – an area that coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Ron Hextall have said need to improve.

Archibald, who doesn’t have great size but has proven feisty, last played Dec. 18. Kapanen, who has been trying to find his stride, last played Jan. 18.

Archibald has four goals, six points in 30 games. Kapanen has six goals, 17 points in 35 games.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry (day to day) and defenseman Jan Rutta (IR), who have undisclosed injuries, again skated before practice.

While Sunday’s practice was not especially long, Monday’s featured the Zambonis providing a fresh sheet of ice mid-practice, followed by a scrimmage.

The lines and pairings:

The lines and pairings:

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust

Brock McGinn-Jeff Carter-Kasperi Kapanen

Ryan Poehling-Teddy Blueger-Josh Archibald

(Danton Heinen, Drew O’Connor)

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry

P.O Joseph-Chad Ruhwedel

(Mark Friedman)