The Penguins have activated Jason Zucker from injured reserve, clearing the way for the winger to return to the lineup Monday against the New York Islanders.
At the beginning of Monday’s game at PPG Paints Arena, Zucker was back on the second line, where he skated alongside Jared McCann and Evan Rodrigues.
Zucker, who suffered a lower-body injury Feb. 23 in Washington, returned to full-team practice Sunday. He again hit the ice without contact restrictions at Monday’s optional skate. He missed 18 games before his return to the lineup, which Zucker admitted happened much sooner than he initially expected.
Unfortunately, injuries are nothing new for Zucker, who has played 72 games or more only three times in his career, which started in Minnesota. But at least he has an understanding of what must be done to ramp back up for game action.
“It’s just kind of the way it’s gone for me personally. You just do the best you can rehab-wise, trying to stay in hockey shape,” he said. “It’s impossible to stay in that type of shape, so you have to do everything you can. Then it’s a matter of trying to get back to it as quickly as you can when you do get into game situations.”
Prior to his injury, Zucker had four goals and three assists in 17 games this season.
In other news, the Penguins placed Evgeni Malkin on long-term injured reserve retroactive to March 16 and put forward Drew O’Connor on the taxi squad.
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel.
First Published: March 29, 2021, 9:16 p.m.
