"Left winger Chris Kunitz returned to the Penguins' lineup Tuesday night after a 13-game absence due to an unspecified injury, but he wasn't a shoo-in most of the day.

Although coach Dan Bylsma a day earlier had labeled Kunitz "probable" for the game against Buffalo at Consol Energy Center, his prospects didn't look great during and just after the morning skate.

Bylsma did not employ Kunitz on a regular line or in any special teams drills. Afterward, Kunitz said he felt "good enough" to play, but reiterated how frustrating the injury has been and deferred to Bylsma, who called Kunitz "a game-time decision," adding that it was a matter of Kunitz not being put in a position for further injury.

Bylsma noted that all along, Kunitz's injury had been fickle.

"The first time he sat out a game, I thought he was coming in to play, and a situation arose where it wasn't the right thing to get on the ice," the coach said.

At the pregame warmup Tuesday, Kunitz not only skated but also sported an alternate captain's "A" on his jersey.

Kunitz had five goals, three assists in the 10 games before he left the lineup and entered the game against the Sabres with 18 goals, 36 points."