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Penguins call up two players as Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte move to injured reserve
Photo credit: Edit from PensBurgh
The Penguins have placed Evgeni Malkin and Blaze Lizotte on injured reserve, and in the process have recalled Danton Heinen and Sam Poulin from the AHL.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have opened the 2025-26 season at 14-7-6, a start strong enough to reignite playoff expectations after three straight seasons without.
Sidney Crosby continues to drive the offense, leading the team in goals and points, while Evgeni Malkin has been a key player with 29 points in just 26 games.
Solid defending and reliable goaltending have helped keep Pittsburgh steady, allowing 2.70 goals per game thanks to Tristan Jarry's resurgence.
What is starting to add stress to the Penguins' lineup
But injuries are beginning to stress the lineup, and Tuesday brought the biggest development yet, as Malkin was designated for injured reserve.
He has been managing an upper-body issue that was initially downplayed by head coach Dan Muse.
Muse had indicated he believed Malkin might be available for Sunday's game against Dallas, but the star centerman was suddenly moved to IR, ruling him out for at least the next two games.
Blake Lizotte was also placed on injured reserve, further tightening the depth chart for the team.
With Malkin unavailable, Kevin Hayes has been elevated to the second-line center role, while the Penguins also recalled Sam Poulin and Danton Heinen from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to provide some stability.
Why Evgeni Malkin's absence is significant
Malkin's absence is significant. He has a +5 rating and has played a major role in the Penguins getting wins and on the power play.
He is in the final year of his four-year, $24.4 million deal, making his health crucial for a team fighting to stay in the Metro Division race and get into the playoffs.
The Penguins return to action on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks as they try to maintain momentum without two key forwards. They will need to lean on Crosby, Hayes, the recalled depth, and the youngsters to keep their scoring pace intact.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 107 ANSWERS Penguins call up two players as Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte move to injured reserve Are you concerned that Evgeni Malkin may miss significant time? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 61.7 % |
| No | 41 | 38.3 % |
| List of polls | ||