Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson missed Monday’s practice session in Cranberry due to an unspecified illness.
Coach Dan Muse labeled his absence as “precautionary” in advance of Tuesday’s home game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
During a 7-3 road win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, Karlsson did not record a shift beyond the 10:50 mark of the third period. Muse indicated Karlsson was kept off the ice during the late stages of the contest in part due to his malady.
Since arriving via a trade in August of 2023, Karlsson has not missed a game with the Penguins. His streak of 201 consecutive games is the longest active streak with the club.
In 37 games this season, Karlsson has scored 26 points (three goals, 23 assists). Typically deployed on the top defensive pairing and both special teams units, Karlsson leads the team with an average ice time off 23:55 per contest.
Notes:
• Forward Danton Heinen was absent from practice as well. He was placed on waivers Sunday afternoon. Should he go unclaimed by 2 p.m. Monday, he can be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
• The team’s lines and pairings in Monday’s practice session were:
67 Rickard Rakell – 87 Sidney Crosby – 17 Bryan Rust
39 Anthony Mantha – 18 Tommy Novak – 16 Justin Brazeau
2 Rutger McGroarty – 81 Ben Kindel – 41 Ville Koivunen
19 Connor Dewar – 46 Blake Lizotte – 55 Noel Acciari
28 Parker Wotherspoon – 75 Connor Clifton
77 Brett Kulak – 58 Kris Letang
5 Ryan Shea – 3 Jack St. Ivany
13 Kevin Hayes – 27 Ryan Graves
• Forwards Filip Hallander (blood clot) and Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed injury) each skated before practice. Both players are designated to injured reserve.
