Third-line center Teddy Blueger was a surprise scratch during Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to the Bruins. Coach Mike Sullivan said after the game that the Latvian center is out longer-term with an upper-body injury.
Through 28 games this season, Blueger has elevated his game to the next level by adding an offensive dimension to go along with his always-steady defensive ability. He’s racked up 15 points (four goals, 11 assists).
With Blueger sidelined, Mark Jankowski was elevated to center the third line, skating between Zach Aston-Reese and Brandon Tanev.
Blueger's absence also opened the door for Sam Lafferty to reenter the lineup. In his first appearance since March 6, Lafferty centered the fourth line. Colton Sceviour and Anthony Angello remained the wingers on the fourth line to start the game.
As the Blueger injury lingers, it will test the Penguins’ depth up the middle, especially after Evgeni Malkin also left Tuesday’s game with an injury. Versatile forward Evan Rodrigues centered the second line and will likely continue to be one of the options to fill a void in the middle as long as Blueger is sidelined. When he returns from his own injury, Jared McCann would be another good candidate to fill a hole in the middle.
Marino placed on injured reserve
The Penguins placed defenseman John Marino on injured reserve Tuesday, retroactive to March 9. However, Sullivan said that doesn’t indicate a change in his status. He remains “day-to-day” with an upper-body injury.
The 23-year-old initially missed practice on March 10 with what the team termed as a “maintenance day.” However, that status was next changed to day-to-day, as an upper-body injury held him out of both games in Buffalo over the weekend and both games against the Bruins this week.
During an injury-marred season for the blue line, Marino was the only Penguins defenseman to appear in the first 25 games. He played all over the lineup to fill holes, from the top pair to the bottom pair and on both sides.
In the games leading up to the injury, Marino’s minutes had been reduced slightly as he fell into a bottom-pairing role. Sullivan talked at the time about how he felt Marino was trying to do too much with the puck and was looking for the sophomore to establish more consistency.
Reliable righty Chad Ruhwedel filled in for the fourth consecutive game with Marino sidelined.
McCann missing again, but making progress
McCann was listed as a “game-time decision” for Tuesday’s game against the Bruins. However, that turned to a “no” by game time.
It was the fifth consecutive game that McCann has missed since leaving a March 7 victory over the New York Rangers with an upper-body injury. One would think he won't be out much longer if the club considered him a game-time decision.
The initial timing of the injury was unfortunate for McCann. He also missed seven games in the middle of February. However, the speedy winger returned to find a vacancy on the second line due to Jason Zucker's injury.
McCann took advantage of an opportunity on the second line, tallying five points (three goals) in six games. He looked to be building chemistry with Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen. But that process has been disrupted due to injury.
“He's playing really well for us,” Sullivan said when McCann was injured. “He's got good offensive instincts. It's discouraging to see him go down with an injury. Hopefully it won't be too long and we get some positive news."
Versatile forward Evan Rodrigues has been filling in for McCann on the second line recently. He recorded a goal on a tough-angle shot and also drew a penalty that led to a Penguins power play goal during Monday’s 4-1 win at PPG Paints Arena. He remained alongside Malkin to start Tuesday’s game.
In other injury news, defenseman Mark Friedman will miss his seventh consecutive game as he recovers from an upper-body injury sustained during a collision with Philadelphia’s Nolan Patrick on March 4. Zucker also missed his 12th game as he recovers from a lower-body injury.
Malkin's tribute
Evgeni Malkin honored Timur Faizutdivov during Tuesday's game by wearing a No. 77 helmet sticker. The 19-year-old Russian hockey player tragically died on Tuesday after taking a puck to the head three days earlier during a game with Dynamo St. Petersburg. The Penguins offered their condolences to the Faizutdivov family in a tweet.
DeSmith in net
Backup goalie Casey DeSmith will get the nod in net Tuesday, in the second half of the back-to-back against the Bruins. The 6-foot netminder is coming off a 24-save shutout Saturday night in Buffalo.
Entering Tuesday, DeSmith has allowed two goals or fewer in four of his last five starts dating back to Feb. 1. He’s 3-2 with a .938 save percentage during that span.
Mike DeFabo: mdefabo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @MikeDeFabo.
First Published: March 16, 2021, 3:35 p.m.
