Penguins forward Rickard Rakell could rejoin lineup against Wild
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has been labeled as a “game-time decision” for Monday’s home game against the Minnesota Wild at PPG Paints Arena.
Coach Mike Sullivan announced Rakell’s status following an optional morning skate.
Currently designated to long-term injury due to a suspected right shoulder injury, Rakell has been sidelined for the past 12 games.
Before his injury, Rakell had largely struggled to produce despite being regularly deployed on the team’s second line and occasionally on the top power play. In 17 games this season, he had four assists while averaging 15:35 of ice time.
During a practice session in Cranberry on Sunday, Rakell skated on the team’s top line with center Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel on the left wing.
Notes:
• Forward Noel Acciari could also potentially return to the lineup. Currently designated to regular injured reserve, Acciari has been absent for the past seven games due to an undisclosed ailment.
On Sunday, he skated on the team’s fourth line in practice with Jeff Carter on the right wing and Jansen Harkins at left wing.
In 22 games this season, Acciari has three points (two goals, one assist) while clocking an average of 12:18 of ice time per contest.
• Another possible returnee is defenseman Chad Ruhwedel. He has not been in the lineup for the past 12 games (11 while injured and one as a healthy scratch).
During Sunday’s practice, he skated on the third defensive pairing with rookie John Ludvig.
Appearing in 15 games this season, Ruhwedel has recorded one assist while averaging 12:13 of ice time per contest.
• The Penguins are expected to start goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. In seven games this season, he has a 3-2-1 record, a 2.52 goals against average, a .929 save percentage and one shutout.
Throughout his career, Nedeljkovic has faced the Wild in only two games, posting a 0-1-1 record, a 5.50 save percentage and an .828 save percentage.
• Those who participated in Monday’s optional morning skate included:
Forwards - Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza, Marc Johnstone, Valtteri Puustinen, Rakell, Radim Zohorna
Defensemen - P.O Joseph, Ruhwedel, Shea
Goaltenders - Tristan Jarry, Alex Nedeljkovic
• Forward Reilly Smith took to the ice and worked out for approximately 15 minutes and departed when the morning skate began.
• Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson has 99 career assists.
• The Wild are expected to start former Penguins goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson. In 18 games this season, Gustavsson has an 8-7-2 record, a 2.84 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
A second-round pick of the Penguins in the 2016 NHL Draft, Gustavsson has faced the Pengins in three games throughout his career and has posted a 1-2-0 record, a 4.02 goals against average and an .875 save percentage.
Long-time Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is scheduled to serve as the backup to Gustavsson.
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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