Plotnikov, who has yet to score a goal in 30 games, served as a healthy scratch for the sixth consecutive game Thursday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

The forward produced three 30-point campaigns in the KHL but has yet to show a scoring touch in North America. "He's a heavy body," GM Jim Rutherford said. "I believe he can play in the league. He's another guy that's snake-bitten offensively." Rutherford recently noted how David Perron was "snake bitten" before trading him to Anaheim.