The Penguins’ Jason Zucker was back as a full practice participant yesterday, skating in his usual slot on Evgeni Malkin’s line, with Rickard Rakell on the right. Zucker injured his right leg last Thursday night in Minnesota, in his first game back from missing almost three months with core muscle surgery.
Coach Mike Sullivan said after practice that Zucker will be a gametime decision before tonight’s matchup against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. He says Zucker brings a lot to the Penguins’ lineup.
Sullivan says Rakell and Zucker skating with Malkin enable the Penguins to strengthen the third line by moving Jeff Carter from Malkin’s wing to center Kasperi Kapanen and Evan Rodrigues on the third line.
Zucker said yesterday that it was great to be back so soon after what could have been a very serious injury. He’s missed 38 of the Penguins’ last 40 games.
Zucker says he’s only just learning Rakell’s game, and he’s impressed.
The Penguins trail the second-place Rangers by four points in the NHL Metro. Airtime tonight on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel is 6 o’clock. After tonight, the Pens play back-to-back afternoon games Saturday and Sunday at home against the Capitals and the Predators.
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