Penguins/NHL
Letang to be re-evaluated
The only thing that will prevent forward Jordan Staal from playing in the Penguins upcoming three game trip out west is Penguins management and the coaching staff.
Staal has deemed himself ready to return and is hopeful to be cleared by the staff as early as Wednesday night against the Dallas Stars. The Penguins trip out west includes Wednesday night’s tilt against Dallas and back-to-back games against Anaheim and Phoenix on Friday and Saturday night.
Staal has looked excellent in practice of late but it is not a lock that he will be cleared for Wednesday night. This week, head coach Dan Bylsma said that Staal has a ways to go and the Penguins have wanted him to get close to three weeks of full practice time.
Although Staal is shooting for Wednesday night, the team has yet to set a specific target date but it’s widely believed that Staal will return at somepoint over the course of the next four game stretch. The team returns home Wednesday November 10th against the Boston Bruins.
The team will return home tonight and depart for Dallas on Tuesday afternoon.
Michalek to return against Dallas: Defenseman Zbynek Michalek has missed eight straight games with a right shoulder injury. Michalek is on track to make his return to the lineup against the Dallas Stars. He could have played this weekend if needed.
Letang to be re-evaluated: Kris Letang left tonight’s game with a right wrist injury that has been bothering him for a few games now. According to Dan Bylsma, Letang will be re-evaluated by team doctors in the next couple days. He is regarded as day-to-day at this point, until further evaluation.
Letang is second on the team with 11 points.
Malkin not expected to miss any more time: Evgeni Malkin tried to give it a go tonight but sat out with a deep knee bruise. He is expected to stay off the ice for another day or two but at this point it would be a surprise if misses Wednesday’s game.
