The injury scare that hung over the Pittsburgh Penguins again this season may have struck again. Jason Zucker, wing of the penguins, turned uncomfortably in the boards in the middle of the third period and made up in pain. Penguins defender Kris Letang did not suffer such an immediate obvious injury, but he too left the Penguins bench and spent most of the last ten minutes of the Penguins’ 3-2 OT win over Washington Capitals played in Capital One Arena. Tuesday night.
Zucker suffered a narrow injury and lay on the ice for a few minutes. He had to be helped off the ice and to the Penguins locker room.
Zucker lost his footing, but Washington defender Nick Jensen cut, which made his fall worse.
This season, Jason Zucker has seven points (4g, 3a) in 17 games. He has been Evgeni Malkin’s NB since training camp. The wing of the penguins, Zach Aston-Reese, has been elevated to take Zucker’s place.
Head coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update on Zucker after the game, except to confirm that he had been evaluated.
“He’s a popular guy. He is a really good person, a good teammate and invests completely in the Pittsburgh Penguins, ”said Sullivan. “Every time such a teammate goes down, there is clear concern from everyone, because we all care about him.
Kris Letang
The Pittsbugh Penguins have played several games this season without enough healthy defenders on the left, so Chad Ruhwedel had to play several times on his hand after John Marino had to do the same. Over the past week, however, the Penguins have had enough healthy defenders for a balanced blue line with NHL regulars.
This can be jeopardized 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 halfway through the third period with an injury.
Letang, 33, helped with Evgeni Malkin’s goal in the first period and scored two goals on Sunday during Sidney Crosby’s 1000th NHL game. The Penguins’ defender of the best pair averages more than 24 minutes per game.
PHN reviewed the third period, but could not find a specific moment or striking moment in which Letang was injured.
