Sometimes high performance machines need to go to the shop. Geno Machino will be out of the lineup this evening according to Mike Sullivan
Coach Sullivan on Malkin's absence from today's practice: "Geno is dealing with upper-body injury. He will be out for tomorrow's game against Vancouver."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 21, 2017
Malkin has been listed as day to day. Is this an actual day to day or is this the day to day that sees Malkin miss more than a month like in previous years? The Penguins really need it to be the former with their current center depth. Sidney Crosby is struggling and there is not an option like Nick Bonino to step in and pick up the offensive slack. Malkin did skate today
Evgeni Malkin getting some early work: pic.twitter.com/IlQPRi330U
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) November 22, 2017
Here’s to hoping it is maintenance related.
Here is the fallout and one think sticks out more than the others
#Pens lines without Malkin:
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) November 21, 2017
Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Rust-Guentzel-Kessel
Hagelin-Sheahan-Archibald
McKegg-Rowney-Reaves
(Kuhnhackl)
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Cole
(Ruhwedel)
-MC
Jake Guentzel is getting reps at the center position. He hasn’t really played center in the NHL up to this point, but with desperate times come desperate measures. Perhaps that is overstating it. Guentzel’s natural position is center. He’s a great passer and sees the ice extremely well. Playing center might afford him more opportunities to showcase those abilities.
Sullivan on the potential of playing Guentzel at center: "We've been tempted. We know he can play there. We've chosen not to so far. We talk about it weekly and most recently daily. We're very comfortable putting Jake at center if we think it's the best chance for us to win."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 22, 2017
What if he looks good at center? It could dramatically alter what the Penguins could be looking for via trade to improve the team. Instead of tracking down a quality center they could shift their focus to acquire another quality winger. Wingers for the most part are easier to acquire. Guentzel at center is worth exploring for longer than Malkin’s absence.
Speaking of centers Brandon Sutter is rocking a 43.68 CF% and a 0.69 points per 60 (not nice).
Derrick Pouliot will actually get to play a game on Pittsburgh’s ice tonight. He’s at 53.52% and 1.01.
Thanks for reading!