Forward Jason Zucker skated prior to Pittsburgh Penguins practice in Cranberry on Monday morning, coach Mike Sullivan confirmed.

Speaking after practice, Sullivan gave an upbeat assessment of what that development meant in regards to Zucker’s status for the Penguins’ first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers that begins Tuesday.

Out because of an undisclosed injury suffered during a loss to the Edmonton Oilers on April 26, Zucker was deemed to be out “for the first couple of games” of the Rangers series by Sullivan as recently as Sunday. Game 1 is Tuesday in Manhattan, followed by Game 2 on Thursday.

“It’s real significant,” Sullivan said of Zucker skating, “and, yes, there is a chance that his timetable could be accelerated. The fact that he was on the ice I think was a big step, and we will go from there. But we are certainly encouraged that he’s back on the ice.”

Typically the second-line left wing when healthy, Zucker missed half of the 82-game regular-season schedule because of various injuries, most notably a core muscle ailment that required surgery in January.

Beating Igor

It’s no wonder that with a stat line that features a league-leading 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage, Igor Shesterkin is the clear favorite to win this season’s Vezina Trophy.

What must be scary for the Penguins is his numbers are even better against them.

In four games this season versus the Penguins, Shesterkin had a 1.01 GAA and .960 save percentage, going 3-1-0 with a shutout.

“He’s a big part of their team, there’s no question,” Sullivan said. “We’ve got to try to make it a hard game for him.”

Though he has only one game of NHL postseason experience, Shesterkin would figure to provide New York with a clear edge in the goaltending matchup. With Tristan Jarry out because of a foot injury, the Penguins are starting backup Casey DeSmith, who has not appeared in an NHL postseason game.

“It doesn’t matter who the other goalie is,” DeSmith said. “It’s just another game. It’s a playoff game, but you just approach it like any other game. Obviously, (Shesterkin) is a great goaltender and he’s had a lot of success this year, so he’s going to make our job difficult to score often. Hopefully, we are up to the task.”

World famous

In New York, they like to call it The World’s Most Famous Arena. And for the fourth time over the past nine seasons, Madison Square Garden will host one-half of a Penguins-Rangers playoff series.

“ ‘MSG’ is a great place to play,” DeSmith said. “Obviously, a ton of energy. Couldn’t ask for a better venue to kind of get into it.”

The Penguins lost both games in Manhattan this season by an aggregate score of 8-1. They won five of eight games played at MSG over three consecutive seasons of series meetings there: the Rangers won during the second round in 2014 and first round of 2015, but the Penguins advanced by beating New York in the 2016 first round.

Tuesday will be the first playoff game at Madison Square Garden since a May 9, 2017, loss to the Ottawa Senators.

“It will have a lot of energy there,” said DeSmith, “so it should help us come out with hopefully a lot of energy ourselves.”

New addition

No word yet on if “Sidney” is on the list of possible names, but Jake Guentzel let it be known Monday that he and his wife are expecting a son who — just maybe — could share a birthday with Guentzel’s linemate.

Guentzel’s wife, Natalie, revealed to the world that she is pregnant via a social-media post.

“Due in August, beginning of August,” a beaming Guentzel said Monday. “It’s exciting, fun. A baby boy, so it’s exciting times and it’s the first time for this, so it’s kind of cool to see (Natalie) getting a little bigger now with the belly.”

Guentzel and Crosby tied for the Penguins’ team lead in points with 84 this season. Crosby was born Aug. 7, 1987.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.

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