Penguins' Michael Bunting involved in car accident outside PPG Paints Arena, won't play vs. Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Michael Bunting was involved in a car accident outside of PPG Paints Arena on Sunday afternoon ahead of the club’s game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The incident took place at the intersection of Washington Place and Centre Ave.
Coach Mike Sullivan indicated that Bunting and all parties involved were ‘OK,’ but in light of the collision, Bunting will not play Sunday night.
Bunting’s 13 goals rank third on the Penguins, and he has 25 points in 43 games.
While Bunting is out, fellow forward Phil Tomasino is likely back in, as he was activated off injured reserve Sunday afternoon, with Sullivan confirming his availability vs. the Lightning.
Tomasino has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since Jan. 5 and has missed the past four contests.
In a corresponding roster move, Evgeni Malkin was placed on injured reserve.
Malkin was abruptly scratched from the lineup Jan. 7 ahead of an eventual shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and now has missed three straight games because of an unspecified ailment.
Sullivan indicated that his status has not changed from day-to-day despite heading to injured reserve.
Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry is scheduled to start Sunday’s game, Sullivan said.
In 20 games this season, Jarry has an 8-6-4 record, a 3.33 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage.
Throughout his career, Jarry has faced the Lightning in 10 contests and posted a 6-3-1 record, a 2.49 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.
Notes: Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson is expected to start Sunday’s game. In nine games this season, Johansson has a 4-3-1 record, a 3.32 goals-against average, an .898 save percentage and one shutout. … Johansson has faced the Penguins twice in his career, posting a 0-2-0 record, a 4.13 goals-against average and an .862 save percentage. …Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak has 98 career points.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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