NEWARK —Goaltender Sergei Murashov might play Thursday night, but not for the Pittsburgh Penguins .
Coach Dan Muse confirmed the team was sending Murashov back to the AHL. He was en route from the Prudential Center Thursday morning to meet the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for their game in Bridgeport.
Murashov was with the team as a precaution, in case goalie Stuart Skinner was unable to play after being struck in the face while sitting on the bench during the Penguins' win Saturday over the Florida Panthers .
However, Muse confirmed Skinner would start Thursday.
The question Muse wouldn't answer was regarding forward Avery Hayes . Interestingly, Hayes came off the ice following the morning skate with the players who are in the lineup Thursday against the New Jersey Devils . Will the Penguins demote Hayes with Murashov or will he play Thursday?
Muse enjoyed the attempt at prying information from him, but declined to say if there would be any lineup changes, or even if Hayes would be available. He said they will announce the lineup during warmup.
Given Muse's confirmation that Murashov would return, but his coy response on Hayes, it would seem Hayes has a very good chance of playing, and the bigger question would be who might come out of the lineup. Thus far, Hayes has not killed penalties at the NHL level and generally hasn't played center during his professional career.
The post Penguins Demoting Murahsov; Will Hayes Play? appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
Related Headlines
