Penguins forward Alex Galchenyuk is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday’s season-opening contest against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena. He missed the bulk of the preseason due to an undisclosed injury.

“He feels really good,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “We’ll visit with the trainers but it looks encouraging. He’ll be a game-time decision.”

Galchenyuk, who was limited to one preseason game, worked on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Tanev during the morning skate.

“It’s just excitement,” said Galchenyuk, an offseason acquisition. “Be as positive as you can. The home opener. Come in and play that first game in a Penguins jersey. I wouldn’t call it nerves, just a lot of excitement. I can’t wait to get started.”

The team’s lines and pairs during the skate were:

59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 72 Patric Hornqvist

18 Alex Galchenyuk – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 13 Brandon Tanev

19 Jared McCann – 27 Nick Bjugstad – 24 Dominik Kahun

12 Dominik Simon – 53 Teddy Blueger – 46 Zach Aston-Reese

8 Brian Dumoulin – 58 Kris Letang

3 Jack Johnson – 4 Justin Schultz

28 Marcus Pettersson - 44 Erik Gudbranson

Reserve defensemen John Marino, Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel worked on a “fourth pair.”

Matt Murray is scheduled to start in goal for the Penguins.

The Sabres’ lines and pairings were:

68 Victor Olofsson – 9 Jack Eichel – 23 Sam Reinhart

53 Jeff Skinner – 90 Marcus Johansson – 17 Vladimir Sobotka

13 Jimmy Vesey – 37 Casey Mittelstadt – 43 Conor Sheary

28 Zemgus Girgensons – 22 Johan Larsson – 21 Kyle Okposo

19 Jake McCabe – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

26 Rasmus Dahlin – 33 Colin Miller

6 Marco Scandella – 10 Henri Jokiharju

Goaltender Carter Hutton is expected to state for the Sabres.

The game is scheduled to start at 7:12 p.m.

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