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Egor Chinakhov misses Pittsburgh Penguins practice, out for family matter
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Egor Chinakhov skipped Penguins practice Tuesday for the birth of his daughter, and the Pittsburgh Penguins room will feel that pull.
It is the best kind of "day-to-day," even if the lineup board gets messy.
Chinakhov has been a useful swing scorer since arriving from Columbus on December 29, 2025.
He is 25, a 2020 first-round pick, and the Columbus Blue Jackets took him 21st overall.
This season he has 11-7-18, and Pittsburgh has needed every one of those goals.
The timing matters because the Penguins are sitting at 32-17-8 in the Metro grind.
The Penguins also just put Sidney Crosby on IR, with at least four weeks on the shelf.
So any missed practice, even for the happiest reason, gets magnified.
If Chinakhov can't go Thursday against the New Jersey Devils, someone has to steal those top-nine minutes.
That likely means a different look on the man advantage, too.
Egor Chinakhov gives Pittsburgh Penguins a jolt
Pens fans are exhausted from injury updates, so a baby announcement is the rare note that actually makes you smile.
On the ice, Chinakhov's value is simple, he shoots first and forces defenders to back up.
That changes how opponents gap up on the rush, and it opens space for his linemates.
Even if he returns right away, missing one practice can still shift line chemistry in a hurry.
The good news is this one is temporary, and the room will be energized, not deflated.
Get back when you can, Egor, Thursday is coming fast.
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