Penguins look to rebound after two tough losses against two of the league's bottom teams
After two straight disappointing losses to non-playoff teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to regain some momentum against the league's bottom team.
And they're going to have to do it without one of their best players.
Earlier on Monday, the Penguins placed second-line center Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and he will be out week-to-week. The team will look to get back on track against the San Jose Sharks, who own the league's lowest point total at 34.
However, they'll be getting someone back as well. Forward Bryan Rust - who left mid-game during the Penguins' 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday - skated with the team this morning and will play tonight.
In addition, forward Jesse Puljujarvi was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, to take Malkin's spot on the roster.
The Penguins have been depleted at the forward position - as forward Blake Lizotte has also missed the last two games due to illness - so the Penguins need all the help they an get on that front, especially since they need to get back in win column to salvage their consequential seven-game road trip.
"It was nice to get a day off yesterday, I think, for everyone," defenseman Erik Karlsson said. "It was nice to get away from the game for a little bit, do some various things. I think everyone is excited to play here tonight and play our way back to our normal game."
Alex Nedeljkovic will get the nod between the pipes for the Penguins, and he has gotten the majority of the starts since Tristan Jarry was waived prior to the road trip. In his three starts since, he is 2-1 with a .931 save percentage.
Here is the rest of the lineup:
The Sharks are riding a six-game losing streak and are just 1-9 in their last 10 games. They own a league-worst goal differential of minus-58 and points percentage of .327.
