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(Updated) Tokarski Has Good Reason for Absence at Skate

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Dustin Tokarski
Dustin Tokarski.

The only unexpected absence was goaltender Dustin Tokarski as the Pittsburgh Penguins held a full-participation morning skate Saturday at PPG Paints Arena after having a day off Friday. But he had a good reason.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Tokarski was traveling back to Pittsburgh after being with his wife for the birth of a daughter.

The Penguins host the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, their final game before a bye week and the All-Star weekend. Sullivan said Tokarski should be available to back up Casey DeSmith, who will start.

Goalie Casey DeSmith was joined by emergency backup Mike Chiasson at the skate. No. 1 goaltender Tristan Jarry is out until after the break because of an unspecified injury, and Tokarski was called up as the temporary backup.

Injured forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Josh Archibald skated in regular jerseys but did not participate in line rushes.

We hope to get an update from coach Mike Sullivan after the skate.

Injured defenseman Jan Rutta was the only player on the ice early, working with assistant coach Ty Hennes.

The lines and pairings did not change:

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Rickard Rakell

Brock McGinn-Teddy Blueger-Jeff Carter

Drew O’Connor-Ryan Poehling-Danton Heinen

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry

P.O Joseph-Chad Ruhwedel

(Mark Friedman)