Penguins coach Mike Sullivan opted not to name Olli Maatta’s replacement tonight, but there’s reason to believe it will be Derrick Pouliot.
According to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Justin Schultz -- the other option to take Maatta’s spot on Pittsburgh’s blue line -- stayed out for a long skate this morning, typically a sign that a player won’t play that night.
Whether it’s Pouliot or Schultz, we won’t know for sure until this evening. Sullivan would only say that Maatta, the victim of a suspension-worthy Brooks Orpik hit on Saturday, would miss Game 3 against the Capitals.
“Maatta will not play tonight,” the coach said. “He is out with an upper-body injury. The rest of the lineup will be a game-time decision.”
Pouliot, 22, has not yet played in the postseason. His last appearance was on April 9 in Pittsburgh’s last game of the regular season.
Sullivan says the coaches are "real pleased with the progress (Pouliot) has made."
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPGH) May 2, 2016
Related: Brooks Orpik suspended three games for hit on Olli Maatta