Penguins to Tackle Sabres Without Malkin Due to Injury

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday without star center Evgeni Malkin, who is sidelined with a day-to-day upper-body injury. This marks Malkin’s 12th absence since January 1 of this year.

Despite a challenging season, Malkin has made a notable impact when healthy, recently contributing three points in his last five games and accumulating 15 points in 23 games since the year began. His season total now stands at 15 goals and 46 points over 62 games, reflecting an 82-game scoring pace of just 61 points—the lowest in his 19-year NHL career.

Malkin ranks fifth on the Penguins roster in scoring and is fourth among forwards in average ice time, logging an average of 18 minutes per game. His absence will significantly affect Pittsburgh’s second line as the team prepares for their upcoming matchup.

With Malkin out, forward Andreas Koppanen is expected to receive increased ice time and step into the lineup once again. Koppanen recorded his first NHL goal on March 18 and has one point in four games this season.

On a more positive note for the Penguins, defenseman Mark Shea will return to the lineup after missing the last seven games due to an upper-body injury, according to team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. While Shea has only five points in 30 games this season, he has seen a rise in performance, averaging 20 minutes of ice time in 10 games since January. Although he may not regain those high minutes immediately, his return provides a boost to the defensive lineup.

As the Penguins navigate this stretch without Malkin, they will look to attract a stronger performance from their remaining roster against the Sabres this Thursday.