PITTSBURGH – Defenseman John Ludvig has been absent from the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup ever since their win over the New York Islanders. Ludvig started that game by taking a beatdown from Matt Martin in the opening seconds but finished the game as normal.
Ludvig was absent from the Penguins lineup for their next contest against the Washington Capitals and was later placed on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. It was immediately clear where the injury occurred or what could be ailing him as the team reported he was ‘banged up.’
After a little over a week on LTIR, Ludvig skated for the first time on his own ahead of the Penguins morning skate against the Vancouver Canucks. According to head coach Mike Sullivan this was the first time Ludvig has skated since the injury.
This is Ludvig’s second stint away from the Penguins due to an upper-body injury. In his NHL debut earlier in the season, Ludvig knocked himself out trying to lay a big hit against the Dallas Stars and was later diagnosed with a concussion.
In 19 games played this season, Ludvig only has one assist but has not been afraid to throw around his body with 37 total hits. That sits him fifth on the team despite playing in about half the games.
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