NEW YORK — Injured Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith and forward Rickard Rakell were labeled as “day-to-day” by coach Mike Sullivan on Wednesday.

Both players were injured during Tuesday’s 4-3 win in three overtimes against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of their first-round series at Madison Square Garden.

DeSmith suffered an undisclosed injury at 9 minutes, 18 seconds of the second overtime period and was replaced by Louis Domingue, who recorded the win by making 17 saves.

Rakell appeared to suffer a head injury as a result of a violent check by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren at 18:41 of the first period.

Sullivan indicated each player still was undergoing evaluation.

Forward Jason Zucker, who was sidelined for the regular-season finale and Game 1 because of an undisclosed injury, participated in an optional practice Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. He, too, was labeled as “day-to-day.”

Top goaltender Tristan Jarry — sidelined since suffering a right-foot injury April 14 — continued his rehabilitation process off the ice.

Goalie D’Orio recalled

Reserve goaltender Alex D’Orio was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

D’Orio is the organization’s only other healthy goaltender signed to an active NHL contract.

An undrafted prospect who initially signed with the organization in 2017, D’Orio has split time between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling of the ECHL this season.

In 22 AHL games, D’Orio has a 7-10-4 mark, a 2.91 goals-against average, an .894 save percentage and one shutout. At the ECHL level, D’Orio has appeared in 11 games and generated a 5-4-0 record, a 4.02 GAA and an .865 save percentage.

D’Orio, 23, never has played an NHL contest.

The Penguins’ only other goaltender on an active NHL contract is prospect Filip Lindberg, but he has been sidelined because of an ankle injury he suffered in November.

Large attendance at practice

AP In 79 games during the regular season, Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen had 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists).  

A surprising majority of the team’s players participated in Wednesday’s optional skate, roughly 13 hours after completing Monday’s marathon victory. In addition to Domingue, those in attendance included:

Forwards: Teddy Blueger, Brian Boyle, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Danton Heinen, Kasperi Kapanen, Brock McGinn, Drew O’Connor, Evan Rodrigues, Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker.

Defensemen: Nathan Beaulieu, Kris Letang, John Marino and Mike Matheson.

Reid Robertson, an emergency backup goaltender typically present for games in Madison Square Garden, took the ice, as well.

The remarkable nature of Tuesday’s game still was profound to the Penguins half a day after it was completed.

“Those are really cool games to be a part of and something I think everybody will remember forever,” Kapanen said. “You don’t triple overtime too often. So it was fun to be a part of.”

Rust recognized

AP In 60 games during the regular season, Penguins forward Bryan Rust had 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists).  

Rust was named as his team’s nominee for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

All 32 teams present a nominee.

No Penguins player has won the award. Zucker received the honor as a member of the Minnesota Wild in 2019.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---