As the Pittsburgh Penguins march towards the playoffs and an attempt at a third straight Stanley Cup Championship, the injury list is beginning to crowd. The team announced today that Bryan Rust is dealing with a concussion, Dominik Simon is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, and that Zach Aston-Reese and Matt Murray are “making progress.”
Obviously there are other players on the Penguins whose absence would be more noticeable, but don’t underestimate the impact of losing several depth players at one time. Rust’s importance to the team is sometimes understated, but with 33 points this season and the ability to play in every situation, he’ll be missed over the last few weeks of the season.
Aston-Reese and Simon have taken turns on the top line at times this season, and will force the Penguins to insert Josh Jooris into the lineup should they not be able to make a quick recovery. Riley Sheahan might end up moving to wing to fill out the line with Phil Kessel and Derick Brassard.
Murray of course is a huge wildcard for the Penguins. The young goaltender has won a Stanley Cup in each of his first two postseasons, but has battled injury throughout his short career. This year he has just a .909 save percentage even when healthy, giving way to Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith to try and show that they could be relied upon in a postseason start. The idea of going through the playoffs with two goaltenders with such little experience is probably not what Jim Rutherford was hoping for, but it may be his only option if Murray isn’t able to come back and prove his health. Even if he does return before long, it will be interesting to see if he can ramp up his game once again for the chance to three-peat as Cup champions.
Waaaaaaaaa! Everyone has injuries! Why is this news? Oh because it pertains to whinny bitch Crosby’s team. Who cares
Maybe because they are always winning Stanley Cups and are always in the discussion as the favorites?
Who is your team. Guess a team that does not win the Stanley Cup
The “whinny bitch” mantra has long been disproved by Crosby. Still laugh at the lame attempts to keep it going. The most common thing claimed is that he always is talking to the officials. Problem is, he is the captain of his team. Every other captain of every other captain does the same thing. It is their Job as they or the alternate captains are the only players allowed to really talk to and question the officials. Geekedout11 would praise Crosby if he played for his team. If Ovi played for my team, I would cease hating him as well. Give it up geekedout11……
I remember the Capitals being the favorites the last two post seasons
Don’t think I’ve ever considered the capitals favorites lol
You and me both. But the media and experts yes.
I think the headline of this article is a bit sensationalized. Murray should be back any time. Simon is a curtain jerker. Rust is unknown at this point, but about the 5-6th best forward on the team. ZAR has played about a dozen games and doesn’t have a position since Brassard was acquired.
Pretty much every team in the league has injuries right now and would be envious of saying their “top” injury is to their 5-6 best forward.