Sutter skated on Pittsburgh's No. 1 power-play unit against the Canucks on Thursday. While Sutter didn't score (and hasn't in seven games), his fantasy stock goes up playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the man advantage. He won't be a mainstay on the top unit as Pittsburgh becomes healthier, but for now he could make for a sneaky play. He's certainly earned coach Mike Johnston's trust -- moreso than he did with Dan Bylsma. Sutter has scored six goals and 11 points in Pittsburgh's first 25 games.

Sutter scored his second goal in as many games Friday against the Islanders. The third-line center is off to a solid start with 11 points (6G,5A) in 18 games. Coach Mike Johnston has paired Sutter with the play-making Beau Bennett, giving fantasy owners hope that the centerman might average better than a half-point per game in 2014-15.

Sutter netted a goal and went plus-3 in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Canadiens. Sutter suffered a scare last Friday when he took a shot attempt from the Leafs' Roman Polak off his head, but he wasn't forced to miss any action as a result of the injury. He's been a productive depth player for the Penguins while playing along the second or third line this season, tallying five goals and five assists over 17 contests.

Sutter (ear) appears set to play Saturday against the Rangers. Coach Mike Johnson indicated at his pregame press conference that other than requiring a few stitches on his ear, Sutter was feeling fine after taking a Roman Polak shot to the face in Friday's win over the Maple Leafs. Sutter will meet with team doctors before the game for precautionary purposes, but it looks like he's on his way to resuming his usual duties as the Penguins' third-line center.

Sutter was removed from Friday's win over the Maple Leafs after taking a puck to the head, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Coach Mike Johnston said after the game that Sutter required a few stitches in his ear, but looks "okay." Johnston noted that Sutter's helmet absorbed most of the blow from the puck, but he could still be subjected to further concussion tests as a precaution. The Penguins will reassess his condition Saturday morning before reaching a decision on his status for their game later that night against the Rangers.

Sutter scored a goal, assisted on two others and finished with a plus-3 rating Thursday. Sutter has settled into his usual third line role nicely after spending time with Evgeni Malkin early on. While he can't be expected to produce nightly, the center has put up many of his numbers in short stretches in the past and makes for a decent play Saturday against Buffalo. Sutter's three-point night was his first since Feb. 11, 2010 versus the Sabres.

Sutter snapped an eight-game goalless stretch with a game-winning goal against the Wild on Tuesday. Along with wingers Nick Spaling and Steve Downie, Sutter sparked the Penguins with his second goal of the season and first since Oct. 11 in Toronto. At some point, Beau Bennett is expected to skate with Sutter and Downie, giving Pittsburgh a third line with more offense than most other NHL squads. Sutter now has three goals and five points in 11 contests.

Sutter assisted on two goals in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Devils. Sutter, who was dropped to the third line over the weekend following Evgeni Malkin's move back to center, was one of seven Penguins players to produce two points against a hapless Devils defense. Unless Crosby or Malkin falls victim to injury or coach Mike Johnston returns Malkin to the wing, Sutter seems poised to remain in the bottom six regardless of how well he performs.

Sutter centered Pittsburgh's third line during Saturday's game-day skate. Since scoring goals in the team's first two games, Sutter has gone pointless with a minus-5 rating. He's averaged less than a half-point per game throughout his career and is on pace for similar production in 2014-15.

The Pens are expected to keep Sutter as the team's second-line center Thursday and Saturday. Coach Mike Johnston confirmed Wednesday that Sutter will stay on the second line through Week 2, but at some point Evgeni Malkin is expected to move back to his familiar center spot from right wing. Eventually, Sutter will fall back to the Pens' third line, but for now fantasy owners can ride out his offensive production -- he has goals in both of Pittsburgh's first two contests.