Pittsburgh Penguins News

The Oilers have played better lately, collecting a point in four of their last five (3-1-1), and will roll with Skinner between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Skinner has been unreliable on many nights this season, posting a 2.91 GAA and .887 SV% in 22 games (10-8-4). That said, he is amid his best four-game stretch of the season (2-1-1), posting a 1.85 GAA and .929 SV%. The Oilers enter the action on Thursday as -166 home favorites against a Red Wings team that played last night and has won four of their last five games (4-0-1).

The Oilers have crept their way back up the standings, winning three of their last four (3-1-0) and receiving vastly improved goaltending from Stuart Skinner. The 27-year-old Skinner has an unimpressive 2.86 GAA and .889 SV% in 21 games (10-8-3), but has been much better lately, posting a 2.0 GAA and .915 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 home favorites against a Buffalo Sabres team that beat them 5-1 earlier this season, but is on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Rakell has not played since October 25th, missing 19 straight games due to a hand injury, but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Tuesday. The 32-year-old forward was playing on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and on the top powerplay unit, streaking for eight points (3G / 5A) in seven games leading up to his injury.

Brunicke was drafted 44th overall by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and has split time between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) in his first full professional season. The 19-year-old defenseman scored one goal in nine games with Pittsburgh and hopes to be a difference-maker for Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

The Penguins were liberally rotating goalies early in the season, but have relied more heavily on Tristan Jarry since he returned from an injury in late November. Arturs Silovs returns to the crease for only the second time in the last two and a half weeks, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old Silovs has a serviceable 3.00 GAA and .898 SV% in 12 games this season (4-4-0), but has struggled lately, allowing eight goals on 20 combined shots (.600 SV%) in his last two games (0-2-0). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as -118 home favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off a dominant 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Connor Clifton will draw back into Pittsburgh's lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, resulting in Dumba being a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Dumba has regularly been a healthy scratch this season, as was the case a year ago as a member of the Dallas Stars. He has a -4 plus/minus and zero points in his last three games.

Matt Dumba will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, allowing Clifton to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Clifton is averaging 17:06 time-on-ice, recording 20 blocks and 41 hits in 10 games this season.

The Penguins were liberally rotating goalies early in the season, but have relied more heavily on Tristan Jarry since he returned from an injury in late November. Arturs Silovs returns to the crease for only the second time in the last two and a half weeks, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 24-year-old Silovs has a serviceable 3.00 GAA and .898 SV% in 12 games this season (4-4-0), but has struggled lately, allowing eight goals on 20 combined shots (.600 SV%) in his last two games (0-2-0). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as -118 home favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off a dominant 7-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lizotte will be sidelined for at least week after being placed on Injured Reserve due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Lizotte has five points (3G / 2A) through 27 games in a bottom-six role with the Penguins this season. In addition to Lizotte, Pittsburgh also placed Evgeni Malkin (upper body) on Injured Reserve, prompting the recall of Danton Heinen and Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Malkin has missed the last couple of games due to an upper-body injury and has retroactively been placed on Injured Reserve. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer has turned back the clock this season, with 29 points (8G / 21A) in 26 games. He has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace since the 2022-23 season. In addition to Malkin, Pittsburgh also placed Blake Lizotte (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve, prompting the recall of Danton Heinen and Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).