Jones recently concluded a 20-game suspension for violating the Performance Enhancing Substances Program, but will remain sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The 28-year-old Jones only played seven games this season, tallying one assist.
Skinner was excellent in his previous outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, allowing fewer than three goals in a game for the first time in eight outings. The 27-year-old Skinner ended March with a less-than-stellar 3.27 GAA and .885 SV% in nine games (3-3-3). The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as +151 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that is 6-1-2 in their last nine games.
With Bryan Rust (upper body) being a late scratch for Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Hayes drew into the lineup as his replacement. The 23-year-old forward has three goals in 13 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Rust was a late scratch ahead of Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, and it is unclear what his status will be on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old Rust has 61 points (27G / 34A) in 67 games this season, and is just four points short of the career-high 65 points he had a season ago. Rust has been impressive offensively lately, scoring 20 points (8G / 12A) in 16 games in March.
Malkin is having a resurgent season for Pittsburgh, producing at a point-per-game rate for the first time in half a decade, but he has missed time this season due to various injuries and a lengthy suspension. The 39-year-old forward has missed the last four games, but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. He has 52 points (15G / 37A) in 50 games this season.
Pittsburgh continues its posturing to return to the playoffs this season and has needed regular appearances from both of its netminders. Stuart Skinner will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to rebound after a poor performance in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old Skinner has allowed three or more goals in seven consecutive games (2-2-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday’s contest as +102 home underdogs against the Detroit Red Wings.
With injured players returning to Pittsburgh's lineup, Koivunen will head back to the AHL. The 22-year-old Koivunen averaged 12:29 time-on-ice and scored seven points (2G / 5A) in 36 games with Pittsburgh this season.
With injured players returning to Pittsburgh's lineup, McGroarty will head back to the AHL. The 22-year-old forward averaged 11:46 time-on-ice and scored five points (2G / 3A) in 21 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Crosby has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders. With the Penguins still amid a battle for a playoff spot, they'll gladly welcome Crosby's 64 points (28G / 36A) through 61 games back in their lineup.
Crosby has not played since suffering a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators, but could return to the lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders. With the Penguins still amid a battle for a playoff spot, they'll need Crosby's 64 points (28G / 36A) through 61 games back in their lineup as soon as possible.
The Penguins have turned to Stuart Skinner in two straight games, but they will flip the script on Monday, hoping Silovs find his form after several concerning efforts. The 25-year-old Silovs allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has allowed four or more goals in five of his last six games (3-3-0), posting a 4.06 GAA and .840 SV%. The Penguins enter Monday's contest as +110 road underdogs against the New York Islanders, who defeated them 5-4 in overtime last month.
Malkin is having a resurgent season for Pittsburgh, producing at a point-per-game rate for the first time in half a decade, but he has missed time this season due to various injuries and a lengthy suspension. The 39-year-old forward will remain out of the lineup on Monday, missing a fourth consecutive game due to his most recent ailment. He has 52 points (15G / 37A) in 50 games this season.
Hayes made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring two goals in 11 games, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has 35 points (22G / 13A) in 39 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season.
