The Pittsburgh Penguins already have Evgeni Malkin, Brandon Tanev, Teddy Blueger, Mark Friedman and Jason Zucker on injured reserve, but might be adding another name soon. Kasperi Kapanen is out “week-to-week” according to head coach Mike Sullivan after suffering a lower-body injury in last night’s game.
Though Sullivan didn’t elaborate on what exactly the injury was or when it occurred, it seems likely to have happened when Kapanen blocked a clearing attempt by Brandon Montour. He immediately collapsed to the ice and left the game soon after, obviously dealing with pain in his lower half.
The 24-year-old Kapanen has been a strong performer in his return to Pittsburgh, re-acquired in the offseason from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Originally drafted by the Penguins 2014, he played over 200 games for Toronto before finally suiting up for Pittsburgh. In his 30 games this season, the speedy winger has seven goals and 21 points, good for sixth on the team behind the usual suspects.
That list of injuries for Pittsburgh is quite extensive and rips most of the forward depth out of the lineup. Even though they are facing the league’s worst team in Buffalo, it will be quite the test. The two games against the New York Islanders afterward will be even tougher, should they not receive any reinforcements.
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