"The Penguins went into their game Sunday against the Blackhawks with eight injured forwards, including top centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

By the end of the 3-2 shootout loss, they were down another forward.

Jordan Staal, the top remaining center, was stationed in front of the Chicago net in overtime when he took a shot by teammate Kris Letang in the left cheek area despite a last-second attempt to turn and duck. He left the ice and did not return.

Coach Dan Bylsma seemed at least cautiously optimistic about Staal's status.

"He gave me the thumb's up when I came into the [locker] room," Bylsma said. "I'm assuming that means he's good."

The game was the first of five in a stretch of seven days. The Penguins play Washington at 7:38 tonight at Consol Energy Center."