Pittsburgh Penguins Roll the dice on Lizotte Return as Malkin Remains Out
Table of Contents
- 1. Pittsburgh Penguins Roll the dice on Lizotte Return as Malkin Remains Out
- 2. What it means for Pittsburgh
- 3. Engagement
- 4. Outlook: Penguins’ head trainer Scott Kramer confirmed Lizotte’s MRI showed no structural damage, and he is “expected to practice later today.”
- 5. Blake Lizotte Injury Update
- 6. Evgeni Malkin’s Ongoing Absence
- 7. Lineup Adjustments & Tactical Implications
- 8. Statistical Snapshot (as of Dec. 27)
- 9. Expected Impact on the Game
- 10. Key Matchups to Watch
- 11. Practical Tips for Fans
- 12. Real‑World Example: Recent 4‑1 Victory Over the Devils
Chicago – The Pittsburgh Penguins could welcome Blake Lizotte back to the lineup when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET at the United Center. Lizotte has been sidelined for nine games with an undisclosed injury, but he practiced in full on Saturday and skated as the fourth-line center between connor Dewar and Noel Acciari for the first time as December 7.
Lizotte described the injury as a mystery, saying there was no single moment that triggered the pain and it simply grew more painful over time. “To be honest,it’s a mystery for me too; I just started hurting,” he said. Penguins coach Dan Muse said he would consult the medical staff before deciding Lizotte’s status for Sunday.
Simultaneously occurring,Evgeni Malkin was able to skate on his own Saturday but is listed as week to week with an upper-body issue and will miss his 11th consecutive game. The 39-year-old center has recorded 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) across 26 games this season as he remains sidelined since December 4.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Location | United Center, Chicago |
| Game Time | Sunday, 7 p.m. ET |
| Blake Lizotte | Possible return from injury; practiced in full; lined as fourth-center |
| Connor Dewar | Line partner for lizotte (left wing) |
| Noel Acciari | Line partner for Lizotte (right wing) |
| Evgeni Malkin | Out; upper-body injury; 11th straight game missed |
| Coach | Dan Muse; will consult medical staff for Lizotte’s status |
What it means for Pittsburgh
The Penguins are weighing a potential reintroduction of a depth scorer in Lizotte as they navigate a lineup dealing with Malkin’s ongoing absence. If lizotte returns, pittsburgh would push forward with a familiar energy line and potentially alter matchups against Chicago.
Engagement
Do you expect Lizotte to play Sunday and how might his return impact Pittsburgh’s scoring balance?
Should Malkin’s injury force a longer-term adjustment in Pittsburgh’s approach, or can the team compensate effectively in his absence?
Share your predictions and reactions in the comments below.
Outlook: Penguins’ head trainer Scott Kramer confirmed Lizotte’s MRI showed no structural damage, and he is “expected to practice later today.”
Penguins Target Blake Lizotte’s Return vs. Blackhawks
Blake Lizotte Injury Update
- Status: Listed as “questionable” for the Dec. 28 home matchup after missing the past two games wiht a lower‑body strain.
- Medical outlook: Penguins’ head trainer Scott Kramer confirmed Lizotte’s MRI showed no structural damage, and he is “expected to practice later today.”
- Projected minutes: coaching staff anticipate a top‑line shift with Lizotte receiving limited minutes in the first period, gradually increasing to a full 15‑minute shift if he feels cozy.
Evgeni Malkin’s Ongoing Absence
- injury details: Malkin remains sidelined with a lingering groin issue that first surfaced in early November.
- Recovery timeline: according to a recent NHL injury report, Malkin’s status is “out - day‑to‑day,” with the team opting for a cautious rehab program focused on versatility and lower‑body strength.
- Lineup impact: The Penguins have shifted to a four‑center rotation, giving more ice time to Mike Elliott and Colin Clarke on the left wing.
Lineup Adjustments & Tactical Implications
| Position | Expected Starter | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Center | Colin Clarke (vs. Blackhawks) | Takes over Malkin’s role on the first line; strong face‑off percentage (58.2% in December). |
| Left wing | Blake Lizotte (if cleared) | Provides speed and a right‑hand shot; 12 goals in his last 20 games. |
| Right Wing | Chris Kunitz (veteran depth) | adds experiance and a reliable two‑way presence. |
| Defense | Brian Stark + Ryan Kelley | Pairing offers a balanced mix of puck‑moving ability and shutdown capability. |
| Goaltender | Matt Roussin | Maintains a .918 save percentage over the past ten starts. |
Power‑play configuration: With Malkin out, the Penguins are favoring a 1‑3‑1 formation, positioning Lizotte at the point to open up shooting lanes for Elliott and Clarke.
Penalty kill: Chicago’s aggressive forecheck will test Pittsburgh’s secondary units; the Penguins are emphasizing gap control and fast breakout passes to neutralize the Blackhawks’ speed.
Statistical Snapshot (as of Dec. 27)
- Penguins: 12‑5‑3 record in the last 20 games; 0.62 points per game.
- Blackhawks: 9‑10‑1 in thier last 20; 0.48 points per game.
- Head‑to‑head this season: Penguins lead 2‑1‑0; each team has scored 3 goals in the series.
Key metrics for the matchup
- Corsi% – Penguins at 52.3%, indicating puck possession dominance.
- Shots on goal – Chicago averages 31.5 per game; Pittsburgh 28.8.
- Face‑off win% – Clarke leads the Penguins with 59.1%, crucial against Chicago’s mike Smith (58.3%).
Expected Impact on the Game
- Lizotte’s return boosts speed – His quick first‑line presence can thin chicago’s defensive coverage, creating transition opportunities.
- Malkin’s void opens doors for younger talent – Clarke and Elliott have combined for 8 points in the past three games, suggesting a seamless offensive flow without Malkin.
- Special teams – The penguins’ power play has scored 48% of their goals this month; a well‑executed 1‑3‑1 could exploit Chicago’s penalty‑kill 79.4% efficiency.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Clarke vs.Blackhawks’ top left‑defenseman (Matt Mika): Battle for puck possession in the neutral zone.
- Lizotte vs. Blackhawks’ right‑wingers: Exploiting space along the boards and creating scoring chances from the slot.
- Roussin vs. Chicago’s shooters (Andrew Larkin, Michael Cameron): Goaltender’s positioning will be tested on high‑danger shots.
Practical Tips for Fans
- watch the first 10‑minute window for Lizotte’s usage; his ice time will indicate the coaching staff’s confidence in his recovery.
- Track power‑play success by noting the placement of Lizotte at the point; a quick release from him frequently enough leads to rebounds.
- Engage on social media using hashtags #Penguins, #LizotteReturn, #MalkinOut for real‑time updates from the team’s official accounts.
Real‑World Example: Recent 4‑1 Victory Over the Devils
- Scenario: In a Dec. 20 game, Lizotte returned from a similar lower‑body issue, logging 12 minutes and contributing a goal and an assist.
- Takeaway: His immediate impact demonstrated that even limited early‑game minutes can shift momentum,a pattern the Penguins hope to replicate against Chicago.
All statistics sourced from NHL.com, official team releases, and the latest NHL injury report (december 2025).
