Jeff Carter Out With Injury, Mike Sullivan Updates

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter has perhaps played the best hockey of his season in the past week of the season as the Penguins fight to get back into the Stanley Cup playoff race. However, according to coach Mike Sullivan, Carter will be out Tuesday when the Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils.

Carter has two points, including a goal in his last three games, and has nine goals in 61 games this season. He’s been a consistent part of the Penguins power play, but also the penalty kill unit.

“(Carter) is currently out day-to-day with an upper-body injury,” Sullivan said.

Carter missed the Penguins’ morning skate at the Prudential Center in advance of the Tuesday matchup against the Devils. He played 14:27 against the Detroit Red Wings Sunday in the Penguins 6-3 win.

Carter has not played less than 12 minutes in any game since Jan. 4 against the Boston Bruins. Fellow fourth-line forward Jansen Harkins is on LTIR, and the Penguins recalled Jonathan Gruden on an emergency basis.