Pittsburgh Penguins Brian Dumoulin, John Marino Marked As Game-Time Decisions, Dominik Simon Out Week-To-Week With Upper Body Injury
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Penguins are getting great injury news right when the team needs it most.
In the midst of a six-game losing skid, the Pens could have three key names back into the lineup as early as Tuesday.
Defensemen Brian Dumoulin, John Marino and forward Nick Bjugstad all skated in full-contact capacity during the team's practice Monday at PPG Paints Arena. The pair of injured defenseman will be game-time decisions Tuesday against Ottawa. Bjugstad will not be ready by the next game.
"Coach Sullivan confirms that Dumoulin and Marino will both be game-time decisions tomorrow vs. Ottawa. Bjugstad will not play."
Coach Sullivan confirms that Dumoulin and Marino will both be game-time decisions tomorrow vs. Ottawa. Bjugstad will not play.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 2, 2020
The only two players missing from practice were Patrick Marleau, who is traveling back to Pittsburgh from San Jose with his family, and Dominik Simon, who was injured over the weekend.
Simon was marked as week-to-week by head coach Mike Sullivan on Monday.
"Coach Sullivan: "Don Simon will be week-to-week with an upper-body injury."
The team also re-assigned defenseman Zach Trotman back to the AHL, in a move that brings even more promise that Dumoulin and Marino will be ready for action Tuesday night against the Senators.
"The Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Zach Trotman to the @WBSPenguins."
The Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Zach Trotman to the @WBSPenguins.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 2, 2020
Details: https://t.co/Reu4AUkl1Q pic.twitter.com/31jiNC0X1F
The Pens have not lost six games in a row since the 2010 season, and you need to go back almost 15 years to find the last time the team lost seven games in a row.
"The #Pens last lost seven in a row from Jan. 26-Feb. 8, 2006 (0-5-2). They last lost at least seven in a row in regulation from Jan. 6-23, 2006. They had one win in between those two losing streaks: An 8-1 win against the Capitals on Jan. 25, 2006."
The #Pens last lost seven in a row from Jan. 26-Feb. 8, 2006 (0-5-2). They last lost at least seven in a row in regulation from Jan. 6-23, 2006.
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) March 2, 2020
They had one win in between those two losing streaks: An 8-1 win against the Capitals on Jan. 25, 2006.
The Penguins return home for a game against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Currently, the Pens sit six points out of first place in the Metro with 80. Washington (86) and Philadelphia (83) are ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings. The Pens have one game in-hand over both of those teams.