Penguins notebook: Brian Dumoulin, Evan Rodrigues return to lineup
The Penguins welcomed back defenseman Brian Dumoulin and Evan Rodrigues to their lineup for Saturday’s 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena.
Each player was activated from injured reserve, having been sidelined since late January because of undisclosed ailments.
Dumoulin returned to his primary role on the first defensive pairing with top defenseman Kris Letang.
On 31 shifts, Dumoulin logged 23 minutes, 46 seconds of ice time — second most on the team after Letang’s 24:27 — including 5:45 on the penalty kill, a unit the Penguins deployed often considering they took six penalties. Dumoulin also recorded one shot on three attempts.
Dumoulin embraced a demanding workload in a fast-paced game.
“It’s good,” Dumoulin said via video conference. “You’re right back in it. Obviously, it’s hard to simulate game pace and game speed. But we tried our best, obviously, working with (skating and skill development coach) Ty Hennes and working with the strength (coaches) and athletic trainers, they helped me out a lot trying to simulate that. I felt good out there. Obviously, as the game went on, you feel a little bit better. Just trying to get back in the swing of things. I just tried to make a mental note to keep my feet moving and keep skating.”
Dumoulin had missed 15 games since being hobbled Jan. 26.
Rodrigues, who opened the season on the top line, was relegated to the fourth line primarily Saturday. On 16 shifts, he clocked 10:39 of ice time, had no shots and was 2 for 4 on faceoffs. Injured Jan. 24, Rodrigues had missed 16 games.
Sceviour on covid list
Forward Colton Sceviour was placed on the NHL’s list of absences related to covid-19. He became the fourth Penguins player to be placed on the list this season.
He was preceded by forwards Sidney Crosby, Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman John Marino.
To be placed on the list, a player does not necessarily have to test positive for covid-19. Something as mundane as secondary contact can qualify a player for the list.
As per league policy, no specifics on Sceviour’s status were offered by the team.
In 16 games this season, Sceviour has two goals while primarily playing on the fourth line.
Friedman day-to-day
Defenseman Mark Friedman was scratched after being injured during Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Flyers. Coach Mike Sullivan labeled him as day-to-day and did not specify the nature of the injury other than to call it “upper-body.”
Friedman’s head came in contact with the right shoulder of Flyers forward Nolan Patrick as Friedman initiated a check in the neutral zone. Friedman needed assistance from teammates to leave the ice after the collision.
Acquired from the Flyers via waivers Feb. 24, Friedman has two points (one goal, one assist) in two games with the Penguins.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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