Malkin IN, Game #35: Penguins Jumbled Lines, Notes & Odds vs. Ducks

Pittsburgh Penguins are playing against Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Evgeni Malkin is expected to make his season debut after knee surgery in June. Brock McGinn, Bryan Rust, and Casey DeSmith are in COVID protocol. Zach Aston-Reese and Danton Heinen are also in the protocol, but Aston Reese is asymptomatic. Anaheim has several players in protocol as well.

The Penguins had a day off on Saturday and are looking forward to the extra rest. They had problems with continuity in their lines and blue line. Anaheim has been a Cinderella this season. Ryan Getzlaf recently returned to their lineup and helms the top line with Sonny Milano and Troy Terry. Evgeni Malkin will play with Jeff Carter on the left and Kasperi Kapanen on right. The Penguins won 1-0 on Dec. 11 at PPG Paints Arena.

Milano-Getzlaf-Terry, Comtois-Zegras-Rackell, Deslauriers-Lundestrom-Silfverberg, Tracey-Steel-Robinson.

Penguins' penalty kill is tops in the NHL. Ducks' special teams are third and fourth. Troy Terry ranks tied for third in goals (22), tied fourth in even-strength goals, and tied second in GWG (5). Evan Rodrigues’ six power-play goals are tied with Alex DeBrincat for ninth in NHL, with four in last seven games.