Marcus Pettersson, Drew O’Connor Will Play in Penguins' Season Finale
The Pittsburgh Penguins will close out the season with a fairly healthy roster.
In the final game of the 2022-23 season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, they will have the healthiest roster they’ve seen in multiple months.
Head coach Mike Sullivan announced prior to game 82 that the Penguins will have defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor back in the lineup.
Pettersson has been on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury and this game against the Columbus Blue Jackets was the first possible opportunity for him to return.
Before suffering his injury, Petttersson was back on the horse of playing some of the best hockey of his career and playing on the top line with Kris Letang.
The offensive numbers don’t totally reflect it, but 2022-23 has been a career year for Pettersson.
In 67 games played, Pettersson has scored a goal and 23 assists for 24 points, but is averaging a career high of 20:33 minutes of ice per night.
O’Connor has missed the last two games after taking a high hit from Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba.
Alex Nylander was an emergency recall who has played in O’Connor’s place for a pair of games.
O’Connor is also having a fantastic season, finally holding onto a full-time spot in the NHL lineup.
In 45 games, O’Connor has picked up 11 points (5G-6A); all career highs and likely earning him a spot on next season’s roster.
It's the first meaningless game the Penguins franchise is playing in since 2006, but should still be happy to see these two players reclaim their spot in the lineup.
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