Justin Schultz began practice with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, but the veteran defenseman did not end the session at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
It is not known why Schultz left about midway through the hourlong practice. After practice ended, coach Mike Sullivan was asked if there was an update on Schultz.
“Uhhh, not right now,” Sullivan said.
Schultz has played in all 21 of the Penguins’ games this season and leads the team in ice time. Schultz was limited to 29 games last season because of a broken leg.
After Schultz left practice, Chad Ruhwedel took line rushes with Marcus Pettersson on the Penguins’ second defenseman pairing.
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Flip the script?
As is standard procedure, the Penguins will use each of their goalies during the upcoming back-to-back of games Thursday at the New York Islanders and Friday at home against the New Jersey Devils.
During previous two-games-in-two-days situations this season, Sullivan has used No. 1 goalie Matt Murray the first game and backup Tristan Jarry the next night.
Has Sullivan considered switching up that routine?
“Sure,” he said.
Will that be the case Thursday and Friday?
“We will announce our goalie (Thursday),” Sullivan said with a wry smile.
