Matt Cullen is expected to serve as a center for Pittsburgh's second line with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin on Friday and Saturday due to Evgeni Malkin's (lower body) absence, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Cullen is expected to serve as a center for Pittsburgh's second line with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin on Friday and Saturday due to Evgeni Malkin's (lower body) absence, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Analysis:

Cullen has excelled as a bottom-six center but did skate for several games with Sidney Crosby earlier in the season. While the 39-year-old has just two points in his last 10 games, he scored Tuesday and has registered 10 shots on goal over the last two games.