The Pittsburgh Penguins will see the debut of a new forward thanks to multiple injuries to the fourth line.
Thanks to lower-body injuries to a pair of fourth line forwards, the Pittsburgh Penguins will have to put together a different lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Following morning skate, the Penguins announced that Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari will both be absent from the lineup.
Head coach Mike Sullivan stated that both are being evaluated for lower-body injuries.
Recent recall Joona Koppanen took part in the full-time morning skate and centered the Penguins’ fourth line.
Sullivan confirmed that Koppanen will be making his Penguins’ debut in place of the injured forwards.
Nieto and Acciari join a list of injured Penguins that already includes Rickard Rakell, Chad Ruhwedel, and P.O. Joseph.
Joseph is slowly working his way back, however, as he continues to take part in skates and practices.
The Penguins forward lines will likely read as:
Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Reilly Smith – Evgeni Malkin – Drew O’Connor
Radim Zohorna – Lars Eller – Vinnie Hinostroza
Jansen Harkins – Joona Koppanen – Jeff Carter
No changes are expected on defense:
Ryan Graves – Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea – John Ludvig
Tristan Jarry will start in goal for the Penguins.
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