penguins bleacher report
At any given time, a National Hockey League team will typically carry 13 forwards in its lineup. That’s enough to build four lines and keep one spare in the press box in case of emergencies.In 30 games so far this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have already deployed 19 different forwards. Injuries and illnesses have led to one trade, a handful of call-ups from the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and constant line-juggling by coach Mike Johnston as he strives to keep his offense scoring goals.For the most part, it’s working. Despite the ever-shifting availability of their personnel, the Penguins are holding on to third spot in the NHL with 3.20 goals per game, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. More importantly, they remain comfortably perched at the top of the Metropolitan Division and second overall in the NHL through games on December 15.Winger Pascal Dupuis is sidelined for the next six months with a blood clot, so he won’t figure in the Penguins’ plans for the rest of the regular season. Other current injuries and illnesses should be running on shorter timelines.Here’s a look at the status of the players currently holding down Pittsburgh’s top six forward spots.All stats courtesy of NHL.com.Begin Slideshow
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