Mike Sullivan's Lineup Changes Draws Fan Backlash Amid Penguins Injury Crisis

The Penguins are set to face the Vegas Golden Knights tonight in Pittsburgh, but after facing many injury setbacks, head coach Mike Sullivan had to make some lineup changes that will not put the team in a great position to win.

General Manager Kyle Dubas is responsible for this, after dealing most of the team's trade assets for draft picks, putting an end to the fans' hopes of seeing the team bounce back from their current position in the standings.

Whenever you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin in the lineup, you have a chance to win, but it's no secret that the team lacks depth terribly, and it will show tonight on the ice.

Here are the lines and defensive pairs as seen in today's morning skate:

Since the lineup was shared, some fans have been sharing negative feedback on social media, notably about the decision to put Connor Dewar on the second line.

Read some of those comments here:

Acquired alongside Conor Timmins in a trade with the Maple Leafs, Dewar, who was a fourth-liner in Toronto, was poised to get a much better opportunity in Pittsburgh.

Sullivan had to give him a chance with the injuries striking the team. Of course, it's a risky bet to do this in a game against the Vegas Golden Knights, but at this point in the season, the Pens don't have much to lose, and Dewar has a lot to prove.

This season, the 25-year-old forward scored three points, all assists, in 31 games with the Leafs, and one with the Pens.

Considering the injuries to Tommy Novak, Ryan Shea, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph, as well as Cody Glass, and Anthony Beauvillier, lashing out at the coach for the lack of depth seems misguided, as the team is clearly dealing with significant roster challenges that are beyond the coach's control.