The Penguins continue to fight the injury bug – with decidedly mixed results.
Forward Jared McCann did not practice Monday after leaving Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders with an unspecified injury. Then defenseman Mike Matheson left midway through the 60-minute workout after colliding with a teammates during a drill. After staying down on the ice for a couple of minutes, Matheson was able to skate off on his own.
Coach Mike Sullivan had no update on either player, other than they are being evaluated. Matheson had finally returned to the line-up over the weekend after missing 8 games with an upper body injury.
The good news is that Zach Aston-Reese was able to slide into McCann's spot with two familiar linemates, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.
That trio formed an effective bottom six line for much of last season.
Sullivan says that defenseman Marcus Pettersson skated with the taxi squad Monday so that is encouraging. However, Brian Dumoulin and Jusso Riikola are still not skating; neither is forward Evan Rodrigues.
With Tuesday's game in New Jersey postponed, the Pens are scheduled to practices again Tuesday and Wednesday in Cranberry before a rematch against the Islanders Thursday in New York.
