The Pittsburgh Penguins have a few days off due to virus issues within the New Jersey Devils organization. The time off will certainly help the banged up Penguins, who are missing a number of players due to injury, especially on defense. The Pens are scheduled to host the New York Islanders Saturday night.
Kris Letang is considered day-to-day with a lower body injury, but will avoid injured reserve. Defenseman Mike Matheson and Zach Aston-Reese have both begun to skate. Matheson has an upper-body injury. Aston-Reese is recovering from off-season surgery – and could return this weekend.
The Pens assigned defenseman Kevin Czuczuman and left-winger Drew O’Connor back to the taxi squad Tuesday – which may be a sign of a veterans returning this weekend.