Mixed news for the Penguins, as they get an overtime win over Minnesota but lose forward Jason Zucker to another injury on the night of his return to the lineup.
Paul Steigerwald has the story.
Coach Mike Sullivan said after the game that there was no information on Zucker’s condition, but they will know more about his injury this morning. Zucker went down in the middle of the second period when he was shoved into the boards awkwardly by Minnesota forward Kevin Fiala. After laying on the ice several minutes, he was helped from the ice by Sidney Crosby and Mike Matheson, and was favoring his right leg. Ironically, the Penguins scored on the sequence on which Zucker was injured, as Crosby and Rickard Rakell teamed up on a two-on-one, with Rakell tapping in his second goal of the game. Jake Guentzel had the other Penguins goal.
Other than the Zucker injury, Sullivan says it was a well-played, playoff- style hockey game and his team responded well.
Sullivan praised his goaltender Casey DeSmith, who stopped 28 of 31 shots in the game.
Jake Guentzel was not happy that the Penguins gave up a two-goal lead, but says they kept their composure.
Guentzel’s goal was his 32nd of the season. He says it was a great road win for the Penguins.
Defenseman John Marino says it was another playoff-style game against a very physical Minnesota team.
Marino says losing Zucker is a big blow for the Penguins, who are also playing without injured forward Brock McGinn.
McGinn was moved to the long-term injured list in order to make roster room for Zucker’s return. Next up for the Penguins are two games against the Colorado Avalanche, who have the best record in the NHL. They will skate in Denver tomorrow afternoon, facing off at 3 PM, and then host the Avs on Tuesday at 7 PM.
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