Penguins forward Jason Zucker out longer term with injury
Penguins forward Jason Zucker will be sidelined “longer term” due to an undisclosed injury, according to coach Mike Sullivan.
On Thursday, the team placed him on injured reserve.
Zucker, the team’s left wing on the second line, was injured during the third period of Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime road win against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. While defending a shot, he tripped and fell awkwardly into the boards with his left leg pinned behind him.
On Wednesday, Zucker traveled to Pittsburgh to be evaluated.
In 17 games this season, Zucker has seven points (four goals, three assists).
During practice on Wednesday, Zach Aston-Reese skated in Zucker’s place on the second line along with Evgeni Malkin at center and Bryan Rust on the right wing.
Notes
• Jared McCann participated in an optional morning skate Thursday. While his status has been upgraded to full contact for practices, he will not play in Thursday’s rematch with the Capitals in Washington. Currently on injured reserve, McCann has missed the past six games due to an undisclosed injury.
• Goaltender Tristan Jarry is scheduled to start his sixth consecutive game. Over his previous five games, he has performed well going 4-1-0 with a 2.20 goals against average and .932 save percentage.
For the season, Jarry has appeared in 12 games and has a 6-5-1 record, 3.18 goals against average and .893 save percentage.
• There was no word yet on any other potential lineup changes. With defenseman Mark Friedman added to the roster after being claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday and Zucker added to injured reserve, the team’s active roster is now at 22 players.
• Rookie defenseman P.O Joseph and rookie forward Drew O’Connor were quietly shuffled from the NHL roster to the taxi squad on Wednesday evening before being returned to the NHL roster on Thursday afternoon. The Penguins have done this a handful of times this season. According to a team spokesperson, these transactions were procedural and done for the benefit of the team’s salary cap.
• The Capitals are slated to start goaltender Vitek Vanecek. In 15 games this season, Vanecek has a 7-4-3 record, 2.92 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
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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