How Penguins Survive without Guentzel; Kids ‘Drag (Malkin) Into Fight’ (+)

SEATTLE — The Pittsburgh Penguins are 4-1-1 since Jake Guentzel was placed on long-term injured reserve. Guentzel has another 10 days of his mandated 24-day LTIR absence and now has company because Bryan Rust is also out week-to-week, also with that most mysterious of hockey terms, an upper-body injury.

Because of injuries somewhere between the belt line and the scalp, Rust and Guentzel are out. Without them, the Penguins fought for a 4-3 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday.

It took every bit the Penguins had, too. A few defensive gaffes and yet another shorthanded goal against nearly submarine the team’s chances.

Yet the good should provide some hope.

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