Penguins notebook: Frederick Gaudreau remains on 3rd line

Penguins forward Frederick Gaudreau remained in the lineup for the 10th consecutive game during Tuesday’s road contest against the New York Rangers.

That’s a considerable accomplishment for a player who, before this season, had not played in the NHL since March 2019 as a member of the Nashville Predators.

Gaudreau opened Tuesday’s game centering the third line with Zach Aston-Reese on the left wing and Sam Lafferty at right wing.

Before Tuesday, Gaudreau had recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games and had carved out a regular role on the penalty kill, averaging 2 minutes, 17 seconds of short-handed ice time per contest.

Coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged Gaudreau has given management something to consider as it tries to sort out its center depth with the NHL’s trade deadline approaching Monday.

“For sure it has,” Sullivan said. “Freddy has earned every opportunity he’s been given here since he’s been called up and inserted into the lineup. He’s a real competitive guy. He’s a smart player. He’s helped us on the penalty kill. He’s strong defensively. He’s won some faceoffs for us. He’s helped us in a lot of capacities.

“And I love his competitiveness. He’s just a real competitive guys that’s playing the game with a whole lot of urgency. I think that type of play is contagious. He’s certainly maximized the opportunity that he’s been given here.”

Call-ups

The Penguins formally recalled Gaudreau as well as rookie forwards Drew O’Connor and Radim Zohorna from the taxi squad Tuesday morning.

While O’Connor was scratched, Zohorna opened Tuesday’s contest on the left wing with veterans Mark Jankowski at center and Colton Sceviour at right wing.

A native of the Czech Republic, Zohorna is playing his first season in North America. Before Tuesday, he had played in two NHL games and had one goal. In 12 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he had 11 points (three goals, eight assists).

Tanev goes to IR

Forward Brandon Tanev was placed on injured reserve retroactive to April 3. On Monday, Sullivan labeled Tanev as “week to week” because of an undisclosed ailment.

In 32 games, Tanev has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists).

“Our guys certainly appreciate (Tanev’s) competitiveness, the edge that he plays with,” Sullivan said. “He’s a passionate guy. He plays the game hard. Our players and coaching staff and most of our team certainly appreciates what he brings to our team. He makes us a better hockey team. There are guys in our lineup that can bring some of those attributes that can help us fill that void when we don’t have (Tanev) in the lineup. Those guys have an opportunity to step up and help us in that capacity. “

Quick hits

Forward Teddy Blueger remained sidelined for the 11th consecutive game because of an undisclosed ailment. Currently on injured reserve, Blueger has played in 28 games and has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists). … Rookie forward Anthony Angello remains on the taxi squad. In 19 games this season, Angello has four points (two goals, two assists). … Forward Josh Currie was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and assigned the taxi squad. In one NHL game this season, he has no points. Serving as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s captain, Currie has appeared in 12 AHL games and has 10 points (four goals, six assists).