The spectrum of injuries that hovered over the Pittsburgh Penguins again this season may have hit again. Penguins winger Jason Zucker twisted awkwardly on his boards in the middle of the third period and winced in pain. Penguins defender Kris Letang did not suffer such an obvious injury, but he also left the Penguins bench and did not play for most of the last 10 minutes of the Penguins’ 3-2 OT win over Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in Tuesday night.
Zucker suffered a terrible injury and stayed on the ice for a few minutes. He had to be helped out of the ice and into the Penguins’ locker room.
Zucker was losing his footing, but he hit Washington defender Nick Jensen, which compounded his downfall.
This season, Jason Zucker has seven points (4g, 3a) in 17 games. He has been Evgeni Malkin’s LW since the training camp. The Penguins winger, Zach Aston-Reese, has risen to take over from Zucker.
Coach Mike Sullivan had no update on Zucker after the game, except to confirm that 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. “Whenever a teammate like that falls, everyone’s concern is obvious 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 in his secondary hand for several games after John Marino had to do the same. However, last week, the Penguins had defenders healthy enough for a balanced blue line with NHL regulars.
This may be at risk 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 bank in the middle of the third period due to an injury.
Letang, 33, helped Evgeni Malkin’s goal in the first period and scored two goals on Sunday during Sidney Crosby’s 1000th NHL game. The Penguins’ best defense pair averages more than 24 minutes per game.
PHN reviewed the third period, but was unable to find a specific case or noticeable moment in which Letang may have been injured.
