D Mike Matheson full participant at Penguins practice, ‘day-to-day’ to return to games
For the first time since Feb. 23, Mike Matheson was a full participant at Pittsburgh Penguins practiceThursday. The veteran defensemen missed the past five games because of an upper-body injury, and coach Mike Sullivan termed his status “day-to-day” in regards to a return to game action.
“We’ll see how he responds overnight,” Sullivan said, “and make decisions accordingly.”
During Thursday’s practice at PPG Paints Arena, Matheson skated on a fourth pairing with P.O Joseph. That’s an indication he might not yet be ready to re-join the lineup for Friday’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Being back out with the team, it was good, obviously,” Matheson said. “It’s tough being away from the team and not being able to see them every day or skate with them. Skating on your own isn’t always the most fun. Being able to be back with them, being up with the pace of play, just the camaraderie … it’s great.”
Mark Friedman has been filling in as a third-pair defenseman in Matheson’s stead.
Matheson said his ailment had been bothering him for “a couple games” prior the Feb. 24 loss to the New Jersey Devils that ended up being the final one he played in before getting shut down for the time being.
“I played a couple games with it and just didn’t feel right,” Matheson said, “so we felt like we should take a bit more serious look at.”
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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