The Penguins MASH unit doesn't actually grow by the day, but it certainly seems like it! The regularity with which their players are being hurt makes it feel almost as if it is something that is supposed to happen. Wake up, shower, eat, tape sticks, hit the ice and get hurt.

Brooks Orpik is the latest casualty and there is still no firm word on his condition. He left early in the first period against the Bruins Tuesday night after taking a hard hit from B's d-man, Mark Stuart behind the Penguins net. It looked as if his torso or hip was crushed into the boards and both the Tribune Review and Post Gazette have speculated about Orpik's hip being the issue. Orpik was set to be evaluated in Pittsburgh this morning, but the team was given the day off and no official word on the evaluation was released. That will probably come tomorrow morning following the team's game day skate.

Ben Lovejoy has been recalled to help offset the loss of Orpik. He will join his WBS teammate Deryk Engelland, who was called up this weekend and made his NHL debut in Boston last night. (confirmed by Jonathan Bombulie - WBS Beat Reporter)

The news isn't all bad for the Penguins though, as it seems that Evgeni Malkin is fairly close to making his return. He went through his first full practice while the team was in Boston and could be cleared for full contact as soon as tomorrow. The team had hoped that he would only be out of the line-up for about two weeks and it seems as if that timeframe will hold true. The reigning NHL scoring champ could be back in the line-up as soon as tomorrow night, but a much better bet would be Saturday against the Bruins.

Sergei Gonchar is another injured Bird that is making progress. Ray Shero was interviewed on NHL Live yesterday and said that Sarge was scheduled to have an x-ray this afternoon to monitor the healing process of his broken wrist. He has been skating with the team during this entire process and is expected to be ready before Thanksgiving. Shero also said that he hoped to have his entire team back together by the end of November.

Max Talbot is another key contributor that could be back sooner, rather than later. Talbot has long said that he would be ready to return in late November or early December and it seems that he may be ready even sooner. Could we see him in the next week or two? Possibly...

I will be following the Penguins morning skate tomorrow, as well as blogging live from tomorrow evening's game against the Devils. Stay tuned for further details on all of the above tomorrow afternoon...


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