NEW YORK — The injuries keep piling up for the Penguins
Defenseman Justin Schultz will be sidelined “longer term” due to an undisclosed injury, according to coach Mike Sullivan.
Schultz left practice in Cranberry on Wednesday early and did not return. Sullivan was uncertain if he was injured during practice. In 21 games this season, Schultz has eight points (two goals, six assists).
Additionally, Sullivan announced forward Nick Bjugstad will be sidelined a mininum of eight weeks after he had surgery to correct a core muscle injury. The Penguins placed Bjugstad on injured reserve Thursday.
With Schultz and defenseman Kris Letang each sidelined, the team will be without its top two options on the point for the power play.
Defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Brian Dumoulin are leading candidates to assume minutes on the top power-play squad.
“(Dumoulin) has played it a little bit, Marcus,” Sullivan said. “It will probably be by committee depending on how we spread the minutes and how things go in the game. But obviously when you have Schultz out and (Letang) out, it’s our top two power-play guys (on the point). “
The injury news isn’t all negative. Sullivan said Patric Hornqvist would play in Thursday’s road game against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center. Hornqvist, who hasn’t played since Nov. 2, was activated from injured reserve.
Earlier in the day, the team recalled defenseman Zach Trotman from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Sullivan said goaltender Matt Murray would start.
