CRANBERRY TWP, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Brandon Tanev worked back into a line for the first time since returning to practice. The speedy forward on the fourth line Tuesday during workouts in Cranberry with Teddy Blueger and Zach Aston-Reese.
Tanev out since April 3 suffering an injury against Boston. The second injury of the season as the 29-year-old has played in 32 games with 7 goals and 9 assists. The lefty shot can play a number of roles, but looks like he will start on the fourth line.
Evan Rodrigues was back skating full, but Frederick Gaudreau maintained his spot on the third line with Jeff Carter and Jared McCann. Back to the NHL for the first time in a couple of seasons, the 28-year-old has 5 assists in the last 3 games including three during Carter's 4-goal game. Overall, Gaudreau has a pair of goals and 8 assists in 19 games.
Rodrigues recovering after taking a slap shot from defenseman Mike Matheson off the ankle worked on a spare line. The 27-year-old forward also has had a solid season after some questions about his future coming into 2021. Rodrigues has 7 goals and 7 assists in 35 games and had the highest shooting percentage in his career this year.
Matheson was back working with Cody Ceci after missing a couple of games after a puck off the face. While it appeared Matheson struggled early with the move to the Pens, he and Ceci have been solid for most of the back half of the season.
Goalie Tristan Jarry returned to full Pens practice as well and seemed to have no ill effects from missing the season finale with an upper=body injury. Jarry won 25 of the 38 games he started with a 2.75 goals against average and .909 save percentage.
