Penguins place Evgeni Malkin, Blake Lizotte on injured reserve

The Pittsburgh Penguins‘ forward ranks just got a little thinner.

Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte have been placed on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.

The Penguins recalled forwards Danton Heinen and Sam Poulin in their place.

Malkin, 39, missed Sunday’s game against the Dallas Stars with an upper-body injury. The exact nature of the injury and how it was caused are unclear.

Through 26 games this season, Malkin has produced eight goals and a team-leading 21 assists while being a key driver for the Penguins’ offence.

Lizotte’s injury is also unclear. The 27-year-old played against the Stars, registering one hit in nearly 14 minutes of ice time.

He has three goals and two assists in 27 games on the season.

Heinen, the 575-game veteran, has appeared in nine games for the Penguins with just one assist and no goals. He had 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 79 games with the Penguins and Vancouver Canucks last season.

Poulin, 24, has played in two games this season without a point.

The Penguins return to action Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.