Preview/Lines #33: Mukhamadullin Hurt, Celebrini and Crosby exchange compliments

PITTSBURGH — Yaroslav Askarov is back in goal for the San Jose Sharks.

Askarov, battling an illness last week, will finish a five-game road trip this afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He started the road trip with the Dallas Stars, before Alex Nedeljkovic took over for the next three contests. Nedeljkovic won two, stopping 82 of 88 shots.

Shakir Mukhamadullin, in his first game back after four straight healthy scratches, suffered an upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky called it day by day.

“He’s probably frustrated. But again, we think it’s very short-term,” Warsofsky said. “We are confident he will be ready for next week.”

Nick Leddy and Vincent Iorio will replace Mukhamadullin and Timothy Liljegren (healthy scratch).

“I think his game just slipped a little bit here,” Warsofsky said of Liljegren, “in terms of consistency, just kill plays, one-on-one puck battles, things he did a really good job of early in the year. We need to get him back, being that guy that can shut down top lines. More of a reset, he’s played a lot of hockey.”

Ryan Reaves (upper body) was a decision during the game, but he’s in the game. Ty Dellandrea (lower body) is still a game-time decision.

San Jose Sharks (15-14-3)

Reminder that SJHN spoke with Sidney Crosby about Macklin Celebrini last week:

Celebrini also spoke about Crosby recently in Toronto:

Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-7)

The Penguins acquired Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak from the Edmonton Oilers yesterday in exchange for Tristan Jarry.

Head coach Dan Muse will share more roster details around 10:00 a.m. PT.

Where to watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins will take place at 12 p.m. PT at PPG Paints Arena. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.