Key Pieces Returned to Penguins Lineup Against Wild
The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting a bit healthier heading into the holidays.
Health has always been a factor throughout the history of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Every year, the Penguins seemingly run through multiple bouts of long injury reports, and this season has been no different. Nine players have missed game action due to injury this season.
However, the Penguins seem to be on the other end of their first major batch of injuries. Three lineup regulars returned to action last night against the Minnesota Wild, including two key figures in the Penguins forward lineup.
Rickard Rakell returned from an extended absence due to an upper-body injury to play just under 15 minutes in his first game back. Rakell lined up with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the Penguins' top forward line.
The Penguins winger had not been playing his best before leaving the lineup, going scoreless in the team's first 17 games, but Rakell sees his injury as a chance for a fresh start.
His presence allows the Penguins to return Drew O'Connor to the third line, reforming a trio with Lars Eller and Radim Zohorna, which has been the Penguins' best combination for the third forward line this season.
Further down the lineup, Noel Acciari returned after a seven-game absence. Acciari's contributions were felt immediately at 5v5 and on the penalty kill.
With Acciari this season, the Penguins penalty kill has an 85.3% success rate, but without him, they drop to 70.4%. The Penguins penalty kill went 3-3 last night in Acciari's first game back.
The fourth line also received a shot in the arm thanks to Acciari's return, finishing with 74.84 percent of the expected goals at 5v5.
The Penguins are still without Matt Nieto and Bryan Rust, who was placed on LTIR yesterday. But getting Acciari and Rakell back will stabilize the Penguins' forward core as they work to regain a better position in the Eastern Conference standings.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXDIWtSyJQs[/embed]
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins