The Penguins might have a full, conventional lineup when they face the Islanders tonight at 7:08 at PPG Paints Arena.
Or they might be able to dress just 19 players, with only 10 of them being forwards.
Or perhaps they will have to split the difference, having 20 guys in uniform, but with seven of those -- one more than usual -- being defensemen.
All of this uncertainty stems from not knowing whether Bryan Rust and/or Evan Rodrigues, both of whom left their 4-3 shootout loss in Long Island Tuesday because of illness, will be healthy enough to play this evening.
Neither participated in the Penguins' game-day skate, after which Mike Sullivan announced that both are "feeling better" and will be "game-time decisions."
They are the latest victims of an unspecified ailment that has been moving through the Penguins' locker room in recent weeks. Team officials have taken care to note that it is a "non-COVID" illness.
The Penguins can clinch a playoff berth for the 16th consecutive season, extending the longest such active streak in the NHL, with a victory against the Islanders, but that could be a particularly steep challenge if they have a less-than-complete lineup.
They do not have the salary-cap space to bring up a player from Wilkes-Barre as insurance against being without Rust or Rodrigues.
If neither plays against New York, the Penguins would have enough forwards to fill out just three lines, with one spare player, which would present some obvious challenges.
Sullivan, though, noted that he had to deal with those after Rust and Rodrigues left the game on Long Island.
"When you have a shortened bench -- it was the case, quite honestly, for most of the night at the Islanders -- you try to manage the bench accordingly," he said. "You're trying to get guys proper rest. You're trying to get them out in advantageous positions, It makes it a little bit more challenging from a matchup standpoint, things like that, just because rest and recovery becomes the priority because you don't have that extra line."
That's part of the reason Sullivan would not rule out using his seventh defenseman -- Marcus Pettersson was the odd-man-out at the skate -- up front, if he feels the situations calls for it.
While the Penguins will have a full complement on the blue line, Mike Matheson suggested the defensemen must guard against trying to take on some of the responsibilities that usually fall to enters and wingers.
"The initial thought is, 'Oh, you need to help out, offensively,' " he said, "I think that's when we get into trouble, when our defensemen are thinking offense instead of defense."
He also noted that the defensemen can make life easier for the forwards by doing things like consistently executing crisp breakouts.
"Anytime we're doing that, we're spending a lot less time in our zone," Matheson said. "And playing in the defensive zone is a lot harder, physically, and more exhausting than the offensive zone."
No matter how many guys are doing it.
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Tristan Jarry will be in goal for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith started the past two games.
• Matheson, on how his career has been revived since he was acquired from Florida in 2020: "I don't think I'm making as many mistakes as I was. Definitely not. The way I was playing in Florida was really not good, and that weighed on my confidence a lot. I would go into games in a pretty bad place, mentally, before the puck even dropped. That caused a lot more mistakes to happen, whereas now, they're happening less. I think that's helping me to manage those mistakes better, too, when they do come."
• Sullivan, a Boston-area native and unabashed Red Sox fan, did not hide his excitement at coaching the Winter Classic game Jan. 2 at Fenway Park. "To have an opportunity to participate in a hockey game in Fenway Park is, for me, the thrill of a lifetime," he said. "I can't put it into words, how excited I am for that opportunity."
• Matheson, on the potential benefits of formally clinching a playoff spot: "That'd be a nice boost for us, confidence-wise, energy-wise, to know that we're in and have something to look forward to."
• Suspended center Evgeni Malkin and injured defenseman Nathan Beaulieu had an on-ice workout with skills coach Ty Hennes before the skate. Malkin also participated in the skate, although he still has to sit out three more games before rejoining the lineup.
• Personnel combinations:
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Jason Zucker-Jeff Carter-Danton Heinen
Brock McGinn-Teddy Blueger-Brian Boyle/Kasperi Kapanen
Mike Matheson-Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin-John Marino
Mark Friedman-Chad Ruhwedel
Spare: Marcus Pettersson
Power play No. 1: Crosby, Letang, Guentzel, Carter, Rakell.
Power play No. 2: Matheson, Kapanen, Heinen, Marino, Zucker.
