Nabokov hopes to return before end of season

"It's not only my decision, but if I can play, I will play," said Nabokov, who is believed to have a groin problem. "If I can be feeling better during this weekend, I think I can be ready."

Nabokov said he and Penguins forward Chris Kunitz got their skates tangled, causing the injury. He left Tuesday's game after two periods, with Al Montoya playing the third to preserve the win.

David Ullstrom scored the winner in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Two days later, he was packing his gear for Bridgeport, having been sent down to make room for Grahame on the roster. He scored two goals in his last four games.

"I'm excited to be a big key for them, to play a lot of minutes and try to go on a run," he said.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby took Dylan Reese's clearing attempt in the face early in the second period, leaving a gush of blood on the ice. Crosby returned about 10 minutes later with stitches in his nose.