The injury ghost hovering over the Pittsburgh Penguins again this season may have struck again. Penguins winger Jason Zucker turned awkwardly in the planks in the middle of the third period, grimacing in pain. Penguins defender Kris Letang didn’t sustain such an immediately obvious injury, but he too left the Penguins bench and played most of the last 10 minutes of the Penguins 3-2 OT win over the Washington Capitals Capital One Arena on Tuesday night.
Zucker sustained a scary injury and was left on the ice for a few minutes. He had to be taken off the ice and into Penguins’ locker room.
Zucker lost his footing but chopped off Washington defender Nick Jensen, compounding his fall.
This season, Jason Zucker has seven points (4g, 3a) in 17 games. He has been Evgeni Malkin’s LW since training camp. Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese raised to take Zucker’s place.
Head coach Mike Sullivan didn’t have an update on Zucker after the game, other than to confirm he was being evaluated.
‘He’s a popular guy. He’s a very good person, a great teammate and fully invested in the Pittsburgh Penguins, ”said Sullivan. “Every time such a teammate goes down, there is clear concern on the part of everyone, because we all care about him.
Kris Letang
The Pittsbugh Penguins played several games this season without enough healthy left defenders, so Chad Ruhwedel had to play a few games off-hand after John Marino had to do the same. For the past week, however, the Penguins had enough healthy defenders for a balanced blueline with NHL regulars.
That could be in danger again. Sullivan was asked why Letang and PO Joseph did not play in the second half of the third period. Sullivan admitted that Letang left the bench with an injury halfway through the third period.
Letang, 33, assisted Evgeni Malkin’s first period goal, scoring two goals on Sunday in Sidney Crosby’s 1000th NHL game. The top pair defender of the Penguins scores an average of 24 minutes per game.
PHN revised the third period, but could not find a specific case or noticeable moment when Letang may have been injured.
Update: Kris Letang returned for overtime. PHN will update Letang’s status as the Penguins provide additional information.
