Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese still seeking 1st goal this season

For Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese, his 2021-22 season started just like the 2020-21 season started.

That is to say he was not in the lineup for the opening of either campaign because of medical woes.

Last season, Aston-Reese did not get into the lineup until his team’s 12th game as a result of offseason surgery to his left shoulder.

This season, Aston-Reese didn’t have to wait nearly as long. He was back on the ice by the Penguins’ third game after recovering from a bout with covid-19.

Any similarities seemingly end there.

Last season, Aston-Reese needed all of 27 minutes, 2 seconds into his first game to find the net. In fact, he had goals in his first three games of 2020-21.

Through 12 games this season, Aston-Reese still is looking for his first goal.

“The way it worked out last year, Game 1, coming back off the injury, putting one in then doing it the next two games,” Aston-Reese said to media in Ottawa on Saturday. “It’s a little frustrating. But I go back to my junior career, my last year (2012-13) with the Lincoln Stars (of the United States Hockey League). I didn’t score until like February.

“I’ve been in this situation where the well dries up. I like a little bit of adversity. It’s good for the soul.”

What isn’t good for the soul or any physical part of one’s being is covid-19. Aston-Reese was something of a “trailblazer” for the Penguins in that regard. He was the first of nine Penguins players or coaches who have tested positive for the virus this season.

The Penguins initially announced his status Sept. 27. Following a league-mandated 10-day isolation period and some conditioning on and off the ice, Aston-Reese did not get back into the lineup until Oct. 16.

Even nearly a month later, Aston-Reese, who has three assists, admits he still is feeling some faint effects from the virus.

“I’m feeling a lot better,” Aston-Reese said last week in Cranberry. “I want to say by my third game back, I didn’t really feel it too much. The first game, I looked up at the clock, there was like 12 minutes left in the first period and I’m like, ‘Ugh, I’m spent.’ Then the next game, it wasn’t until the third period. After that, it was kind of gone. I still have a little bit of congestion, but it feels like it’s starting to break up. I’m pretty much 100%.”

When the Penguins initially signed Aston-Reese as an undrafted free agent out of Northeastern in March of 2017, former general manager Jim Rutherford suggested Aston-Reese one day could replace former power forward Patric Hornqvist, a steady 20-goal threat.

Those expectations have been adjusted as Aston-Reese has reconfigured his game into being a stout defensive forward. During the past three seasons, he’s been virtually arc-welded onto the left wing of a shutdown line with center Teddy Blueger. Meanwhile, newcomer Brock McGinn, an offseason addition, has manned the right wing, a domain previously inhabited by the popular Brandon Tanev.

“I’ve been with Teddy for a while,” Aston-Reese said. “(McGinn) has fit in right since the start. We’re just getting better and better each game, I feel. (Coaches) have given us the task of shutting down (opponents’) top lines from the start. It’s always a challenge every night, and we look forward to that.”

Aston-Reese probably wouldn’t mind seeing himself put a puck into the opposing net on a more regular basis.

“It’s been a little frustrating,” said Aston-Reese, whose last goal came May 22 during the 2021 playoffs. “My hands have not felt up to par (or) kind of where I want them. I feel as if offensively I can do a lot better job of hanging onto pucks. Just have better hands around the net. I feel like that’s been lacking since I’ve come back. I know with time that will come back. Right now, there’s plenty of guys that will score goals. For me, it’s playing smart. I’ve been trying to hit as much as I can, be effective on the forecheck (and) whenever we need momentum, trying to set the next line up for success.

“I know the offense will come eventually. I’m not too worried about that. It’s a long season.”

Note: The Penguins had a scheduled day off Monday.

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