PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens forward Jason Zucker returned to a full contact practice, worked on the second line and could return Monday night against the Islanders.
Zucker injured on what he called a weird, unavoidable situation as he was going to block a shot against the Capitals last month. Zucker said he got his skate tangled with Nick Jensen and unfortunately it happened right by the boards. If it were elsewhere, he doesn't believe there would have been an injury.
"I feel good right now," Zucker said Sunday, admitting he needs to work into hockey shape. "This was a good step in the right direction being back with the guys and being able to take some contact and being a part of the overall flow of practice."
Zucker was part of the second power play unit and was on a line with Jared McCann in the middle and Evan Rodrigues the other winger.
"Zucks is a really good player," said head coach Mike Sullivan. "He's an important part of this team. We are certainly a better team when he's in our lineup. He can help us in so many different ways. He's a gritty player. He goes to the battle areas. He's good in traffic. He's got a skill level where he can score goals. He can help us on the power play. He brings a speed dimension to his game. There are so many aspects of his game that I think he helps our team become a better team."
"We know he's a special player," said forward Jake Guentzel. "Whenever you get a guy like that back it gets everyone excited. Just to have him on the ice, we are excited about that."
Zucker has watched Guentzel, Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby lead the team, noting they couldn't do it by themselves.
"The guys have really stepped up," Zucker said. "Obviously Sid's line has played incredibly good. Throughout the entire line-up guys stepped up and played well. It takes an army when you have a ton of guys out to come back and play and get these wins."
Back from COVID-19
After missing Saturday, forward Mark Jankowski returned to practice today after cleared from COVID-19 protocols. Brandon Tanev is now cleared from the protocols, but still not able to practice with the team.
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Zucker-McCann-Rodrigues
Zach Aston-Reese-Frederick Gaudreau-Sam Lafferty
Colton Sceviour-Jankowski-Radim Zohorna
Other injury updates
Tanev and forward Teddy Blueger skated before practice with Penguins skating coach Ty Hennes. Their status is the same, meaning not ready to play.
Defenseman Mark Friedman skated with the Taxi Squad with no change to his status.
Forward Evgeni Malkin continues to rehab off the ice. Malkin has not begun skating.
