Penguins notes: LW Jason Zucker practices fully, on track to return to lineup vs. Wild

Jason Zucker was a full participant and taking rushes on the second line during Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins practice, an indication the left wing is set to return to the lineup after missing 37 of the past 38 games because of a core muscle injury.

Zucker, who underwent surgery Jan. 25, skated alongside Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell in rushes and was part of the second power-play unit. He practiced Saturday but was in a “no-contact” jersey; by Tuesday’s morning skate that limitation had been removed.

The Penguins play at Zucker’s former team, the Minnesota Wild, on Thursday and then head further west to play the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

“I would expect ‘Zuck’ to be a gametime decision on this roadtrip,” coach Mike Sullivan said.

That terminology from Sullivan typically signifies a player will play, barring anything unforeseen or a setback.

“He’s a guy that is a north-south guy that plays really well in the battle areas and in traffic,” Sullivan said. “He’s good on the forecheck, goes to the net, makes it hard on the opponent’s goaltender. I think that’s an important element to have on (Malkin’s) line is having someone who’s willing to go to the net so he’s more encouraged to put pucks there so to me that plays to Zuck’s strengths.”

The only game Zucker has played since Dec. 19 was when he had two goals in a comeback victory at the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 17. After, Zucker said his injury flared up, and he and the team then elected for surgery.

In 84 games for the Penguins since former general manager sent a first-round pick to the Wild in a trade package for Zucker in February 2020, Zucker has 21 goals and 22 assists.

Here is some poorly-shot amateur video by a hack print reporter who hopes proves that Jason Zucker is not only practicing but doing so taking line rushes with Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell pic.twitter.com/6q1BFR0DHz

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) March 30, 2022

Friedman back in?

Judging by pairings used at practice Wednesday, defenseman Mark Friedman could be in the lineup Thursday. Friedman sat out the past two games and has been a healthy scratch for six of the Penguins’ past seven outings.

Friedman, a right-handed shot, was on the left side of a third pairing alongside Chad Ruhwedel. The odd man out was Marcus Pettersson.

“He’s played well when we’ve put him in the lineup,” Sullivan said of Friedman. “He has the ability to be a difference-maker … so he is always in the conversation when we are trying to make lineup decisions.”

Friedman has one goal and four assists in 21 games for the Penguins this season and three goals and five assists for the team since he was acquired off waivers Feb. 24, 2021.

“Yeah, I kind of love doing it,” #Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman said on Thursday. “I like getting underneath guys’ skin and if I can draw a penalty out of it, why not?” https://t.co/mHjjQvogyw

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 6, 2022

Why Angello?

The Penguins recalled forward Anthony Angello from their American Hockey League affiliate Wednesday, but he was a healthy scratch Tuesday against the New York Rangers.

Sullivan was asked why the 6-5, 210-pound Angello was summoned from among Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s other forwards, many of whom have played in Pittsburgh more often this season (Angello has appeared in one NHL game).

“Anthony is playing very well and is deserving of the call-up,” Sullivan said, “and that’s the main reason why that decision was made. … Every time we have called Anthony up, he’s been very effective for us when we put him in the lineup.”

Angello has three NHL goals and two assists in 28 games for the Penguins over the past three seasons. He has seven goals and 10 assists in 39 AHL games this season.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.