Penguins defensemen Brian Dumoulin, John Marino close to returning
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice Monday looked different.
Mainly because of the venue.
Because of a charity function, they had a rare practice at PPG Paints Arena instead of their facility in Cranberry.
Another notable difference?
A full complement of defensemen.
Veteran Brian Dumoulin and rookie John Marino participated without restrictions during practice. Dumoulin skated on the top defensive pairing with Kris Letang, and Marino worked on the second pairing with Marcus Pettersson. Marino also worked on the second power-play unit.
Coach Mike Sullivan labeled each of them as game-time decisions for Tuesday’s home contest against the Ottawa Senators.
Dumoulin has been sidelined since Nov. 30 because of lacerated tendons in his left ankle. Despite having spent most of his recovery off ice, he is confident it won’t take long to shake the rust off his skating.
“I feel good out there,” Dumoulin said. “It’s coming back quick. I’ve been able to watch a lot of hockey and been able to simulate some skating off the ice. I felt good on the ice.
“The only way to test that is through battling and through playing the game. You can simulate a game through practice, but it’s nothing like when you’re out there (in a game) with the pushing and the pulling and people coming at you.”
Dumoulin and Marino traveled with the team during its recent four-game swing through Washington and California.
“It was good to go on that California trip with them and skate with the team a little bit,” Dumoulin said. “So it’s been good this last week to try to get back with them and get up to game speed. Obviously, the pace of play is something that you need to adjust to, but the best way to do that is to get back in to games.”
Marino has not played since Feb. 6 when he was struck in the face by a puck and suffered broken bones. Wearing a shield during practice, he still has some bruising near his left eye.
Having worn a shield as recently as last season at Harvard, the extra protection is not a drastic adjustment for him.
“Obviously, the little things you kind of notice. Looking over your shoulder, it’s a little tougher,” Marino said. “I didn’t wear it too long ago, so, hopefully, the adjustment isn’t too much of an adjustment.
“Hopefully, I don’t have to wear it too long.”
Forward Nick Bjugstad also participated fully in practice but will remain sidelined for Tuesday’s game. He has not played since Nov. 15 because of a core muscle injury.
“I haven’t had an injury like this, as lengthy as this one,” said Bjugstad, who has played in 10 games and has one goal this season. “I’ve had a few injuries where I’m out a month or a month and a half. … The (training) staff does a great job of keeping you in shape in the meantime.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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