PITTSBURGH – Ahead of their battle with Metropolitan Division rival Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins provided some important injury updates. With Drew O’Connor expected to remain out of the Penguins lineup, a couple of forwards may be returning after missing a game.
Penguins’ head coach Mike Sullivan stated that forwards Noel Acciari and Jansen Harkins are game-time decisions. Both have been dealing with upper-body injuries and did not suit up against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Harkins participated in the morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision before the Blue Jackets contest, but he did not figure into the lineup. AHL recall Joona Koppanen skated as the fourth-line center.
This is his second straight game being considered a game-time decision for Harkins, but considering the injuries piling up, he is likely to slot in.
Acciari was completely ruled out against the Blue Jackets and is likely to return against the Capitals. Acciari will likely slot in for Koppanen as the fourth-line center if he is good to go.
The Penguins didn’t take line rushes or do any special teams work during morning skate, so it’s nearly impossible to guess what the lineup will look like. Their lines were tossed into a blender against the Blue Jackets, but the O’Connor concussion might force a few more changes.
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