Penguins Sullivan is working a special kind of magic.

Pens Injury woes a blessing in disguise?

Where did Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan learn to juggle? He must have had a great teacher, because he’s been keeping the Pittsburgh’s lines gracefully up in the air during an outbreak of injuries that has been ravaging his team.

Let’s start with the biggest ball Sullivan has had to replace, Evgeni Malkin. “Geno” was sidelined with an shoulder injury after blocking a shot against the Calgary Flames in a game on March 13th. Injuries have limited the Russian to 62 games this season, he has 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points despite all the time off for maintenance.

When asked about Malkin’s progress, Sullivan said: "He is going through a process both on and off the ice. We're hopeful we will get him back sooner rather than later."

It wouldn’t be the last word the head coach had regarding players missing from his lineup. Sullivan confirmed that defenceman Chad Ruhwedel is out with an upper-body injury, and forward Matt Cullen is out due to illness.

Add those three names to a Penguins injured list that includes Jake Guentzel, Conor Sheary, Tom Testito, Ron Hainsey and Carl Haglin who are all out short term, and Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley, and Kris Legtang who are sidelined long term.

Looks pretty bleak, but Conor Sheary has the right outlook, stating: "It seems like all the injuries will be healed up before playoff time. I think we can use that to our advantage."

Maybe Sheary is right, and this late-season injury plague is actually a blessing in disguise. Time will tell, but with so many day-to-day and game-time decisions, the depleted Penguins lineup could be looking like it’s old self just in time for the Playoffs.