Oct 30, 2009 11:03 am US/Eastern
Penguins Take On Columbus Without Malkin
By: Sergei Feldman
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate a win over the Chicago Blackhawks by mobbing goaltender Steve Mason #1 (R) on April 8, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Blue Jackets defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 in a shootout.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be short-handed before the puck even drops tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Reigning scoring champion Evgeni Malkin has joined teammates Maxime Talbot, Sergei Gonchar and Tyler Kennedy on the list of injured players.
Malkin strained his right shoulder some 10 days ago. And because the season is still young, the decision to sit "Geno" out for two to three weeks was more precautionary than anything.
"We're worried about the safety in the shoulder," head coach Dan Bylsma said after practice Thursday at Mellon Arena. "A couple weeks, some rehab, some rest, we'll get that thing ready so we can get him back on the ice."
Meanwhile, in response to this latest setback, the team has recalled forwards Mark Letestu and Chris Connor.
As for the lines, makeshift is the operative word.
Sidney Crosby is likely to continue playing with wingers Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz, but who plays where and when on the three remaining lines will be a game-time decision.
In all likelihood, Jordan Staal will anchor the second line with Ruslan Fedotenko and Chris Bourque. Gritty forward Mike Rupp may center the third line with Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis, while Craig Adams may be joined by Eric Godard and Conner.
Brent Johnson is expected to start in net for the Penguins, as tonight's game will be the first of a back-to-back weekend.
Pittsburgh takes on the Minnesota Wild at Mellon Arena Saturday night.
Columbus enters tonight's game with a 6-5-0 record and a two-game winless streak.
The two teams met twice last year and the Penguins went 1-0-1 in the series.
Pittsburgh plays Columbus once this season.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Penguins 2009-10 Season In Pictures
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