BUFFALO, N.Y. — Blake Lizotte will not play Thursday when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Buffalo Sabres at Key Bank Center.
Of course, his reason is a good one. Lizotte’s wife is giving birth to the couple’s first child, and Lizotte is with her. The Penguins made the announcement via X Thursday morning.
This season, Lizotte has become a staple of the Penguins’ lineup, stabilizing the fourth line and penalty killing. He is averaging 13:44 of ice time per game.
Lizotte, 28, has 17 points (6-11-17) in 46 games this season.
Acciari was also absent from the morning skate. He is battling an illness, and coach Dan Muse said he is a true game-time decision.
The bigger news of the morning skate was the absence of Rickard Rakell. He left the skate shortly after line rushes, not quite 10 minutes into the skate.
Muse said he is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury. In the coming days, more information will be available if this affects his participation with Team Sweden.
Ben Kindel took his spot on the top power play unit. However, since Rakell participated in line rushes, we won’t know until warmups who may replace Rakell on the Penguins’ top line.
Updated: The Penguins have recalled forward Avery Hayes. He would be in line to make his NHL debut if Acciari is unable to play. In 31 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, Hayes has 23 points (13-10-23). The 23-year-old forward from Westland, Michigan is in his third professional season.
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