As expected, Penguins winger Jason Zucker is out indefinitely after leaving Tuesday's 3-2 win over Washington in the third period. Mike Sullivan said, "Zuck is going to be longer term with a lower body injury."
The recovering Jared McCann may yet end up getting a shot on Evgeni Malkin's line but it won't be tonight. "Jared is out there in a full contact jersey today," Sullivan confirmed in his pregame Zoom call during an optional morning skate. "he will not play tonight but he is full contact today."
McCann could return in at least one of the back-to-back games against the Islanders over the weekend but it would appear Zack Aston-Reese will team with Malkin and Bryan Rust tonight. As always, Sullivan wouldn't divulge his lines but did tell The Fan's Jeff Hathhorn what he's looking for in that role.
"Ideally it's a guy that has a conscientious two-way game, that has some defensive capability, but also has the ability to go to the net," Sullivan explained. "Geno has the puck an awful lot so when we do have possession to have someone on that line who can go to the net and make the goalie's sight lines difficult I hopefully will encourage Geno and Rusty to put more pucks on the net."
The 6-0, 204 pound Aston-Reese, who is also one of the team's penalty-killers, fits that bill. It's also worth noting that the Pens' penalty kill has improved since Aston-Reese returned to the line-up six games ago. He has also scored three goals, although none in the last three games and no points in the last two. As long as Aston-Reese plays well on that line he should stay there.
Meanwhile, rookie defenseman P.O. Joseph received a mix review from his coach. "He's had glimpses of brilliance, obviously," Sullivan said, "everybody see his potential and what he's capable of. When he first came up he played with a lot of energy.
He's a good solid, two-way defenseman, he's got good offensive instincts, he's got good size."
"One of the most difficulty hurdles for any young player is the consistency to play when they get to the NHL level. The last handful of games he hasn't been quite as good as when he first came up. What we love about him is his attitude and his work ethic. He's a great kid, a great teammate and worked hard at it each and every game."
Joseph is a candidate to sit or be sent down when Brian Dumoulin returns but that's still a way away. Perhaps a now-healthy Jusso Riikola could get a game sometime soon.
Tristan Jarry makes his eight straight start tonight in goal. Jarry is 5-2 in the last seven games.
