Graves has not played since mid January, but is nearing a return, starting with a conditioning stint with Wiles-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice an has one goal in 19 games this season. Pittsburgh has recalled Alexander Alexeyev in a corresponding move.
Alexeyev has eight points (1G / 7A) in 80 career NHL games, but has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman has seven points (3G / 4A) in 29 games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL).
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Tuesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner was lightly tested in his previous outing and had a disappointing performance, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Skinner has a concerning 3.31 GAA and .847 SV% in his last five games (1-1-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as +183 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
With Samuel Girard (upper body) out day-to-day, Clifton will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old Clifton is averaging 16:35 time-on-ice, recording five points (2G / 3A), 53 blocks, and 129 hits in 32 games this season.
The Penguins have alternated goalies pretty evenly in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Tuesday, turning to Skinner against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Skinner was lightly tested in his previous outing and had a disappointing performance, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Skinner has a concerning 3.31 GAA and .847 SV% in his last five games (1-1-3). The Penguins enter Tuesday's contest as +183 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
Crosby returned to practice last week and continues to make strides towards a return, but will miss at least one more game. The Penguins have managed to stay afloat without their scoring leader, going 3-2-2, but they will be eager to welcome him back into the lineup as they continue their late-season push to return to the postseason.
Brazeau did not play in Pittsburgh's previous game and will remain sidelined on a week-to-week basis due to an upper-body injury. This will be the second time this season that Brazeau will have a prolonged absence due to an injury, which is an unfortunate loss for a team that is already without Evgeni Malkin (suspension) and Sidney Crosby (lower body). The 28-year-old Brazeau has been a surprising offensive contributor for Pittsburgh this season, scoring 30 points (16G / 14A) in 48 games.
Girard has been in and out of the lineup since joining the Penguins, and will return to the sidelines due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Girard has seen a slight uptick in icetime since becoming a Penguin, but is still in search of his first point through seven games.
St. Ivany has not played since undergoing surgery on his left hand in late January, but is nearing a return and will suit up with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning stint. The 26-year-old defenseman was averaging 15:39 time-on-ice and had seven assists in 17 games before his injury.
Malkin was involved in an altercation with Rasmus Dahlin in Thursday's game in which he appeared to slash the Sabres defenceman across the helmet. He was assessed a two-minute minor for cross-checking, a five-minute major for slashing, and a game misconduct. Dahlin was also assessed a two-minute minor for cross checking on the play. It's the third time in Malkin's 20-year-career that he has been suspended. He was previously suspended one game for high-sticking in 2019, and four games for cross-checking in 2022.
Koivunen has not appeared in an NHL game since January 4th. The 22-year-old forward has five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Gauthier is an undrafted goalie who has seen sparse action at the AHL level, but has primarily made his presence felt in the ECHL. The 25-year-old has a 2.07 GAA and .924 SV% in 22 games (11-6-5) with the Wheeling Nailers this season.
Soderblom has had trouble establishing himself with the Detroit Red Wings and hopes a new change of scenery, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, will help offensively. The towering 6'8 forward scored three points (2G / 1A) in 39 games with the Red Wings this season.
Crosby did not play in the final two games for Team Canada at the Olympics due to a lower-body injury and has been sidelined since. Crosby is still about two weeks away from his original return timeline, and it's unclear if that has been altered, but his presence at practice is an encouraging sign for a Penguins team battling to return to the postseason. The 38-year-old Crosby is leading the Penguins with 59 points (27G / 32A) through 56 games.
