The Penguins are missing two more of their regular players for Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.
Defensemen Brian Dumoulin and Jared McCann are scratched from the lineup. In their place will be defensemen Erik Gudbranson and Juuso Riikola.
There was no immediate word on the reason for either Dumoulin or McCann being absent.
Dumoulin has appeared in eight game this season and recorded three points. He had an assist in Friday’s 4-2 home win against the Dallas Stars.
McCann has played in seven games and has four points (three goals, one assist). He scored the Penguins’ first goal on Friday.
With McCann sidelined, rookie Sam Lafferty began the contest at the center position on the second line while Riikola replaced Lafferty as a winger on the fourth line. Riikola played on the fourth line during Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche.
With Dumoulin absent, Jack Johnson replaced him as Kris Letang’s partner on the top defensive pairing. Gudbranson replaced Johnson on the third pairing.
The Penguins entered the game with forwards Nick Bjugstad, Alex Galchenyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and defenseman Zach Trotman already on injured reserve.
