Robert Bortuzzo will skate against the Islanders on Friday, Root Sports in Pittsburgh reports.

Bortuzzo will skate against the Islanders on Friday, Root Sports in Pittsburgh reports.

Analysis:

The rugged blueliner, who sat out the team's last game in Montreal, will take the place of Simon Despres in the lineup. Bortuzzo has scored three points (1G,2A) in six games, registering 20 hits and eight blocked shots.