With the traditional Thanksgiving Eve game coming tonight against the Metro Division-leading New York Rangers, the Penguins suddenly have an injury problem. Returning to practice yesterday after Sunday’s shutout win over Vegas, the team was without forward Rickard Rakell and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, and Bryan Rust left almost immediately after he hit the ice.
Rakell has been placed on long-term injured reserve, meaning he will be out at least until December 16th with an undisclosed injury. Ruhwedel was listed by coach Mike Sullivan as “week-to-week” and he might be a candidate for long-term IR.
Forward Vinnie Hinostroza was a full practice participant after missing Sunday’s game with an undisclosed ailment and defenseman John Ludvig has returned from a conditioning assignment in the minors and also practiced fully. Forwards Jansen Harkins and Alex Nylander were both recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and could be in the lineup tonight when the Penguins face off with the New York Rangers.
Sullivan says the Penguins have the players to make up for the losses of top-six forwards Rakell and Rust.
Rakell skates on Evgeni Malkin’s line, but has had a terrible start to the season, with no goals and only four assists. Malkin’s line, in fact, has not been very effective in recent games, and Sullivan says they are out of sync, mostly when they are skating without the puck.
The coach says that line has to find its game.
Forward Jake Guentzel says the Rangers are a tough matchup.
Tonight’s game faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. Pregame airs on 92.5 FM U92 at 6.
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