(UPDATED) McGroarty Injured, Hobbles Off the Ice

The Pittsburgh Penguins largely handled the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. It was 4-0 by midway through the third period, and both teams were on cruise control. However, the Penguins may get some bad news in the coming day or two.

Late in the second period, popular rookie Rutger McGroarty blocked Chicago center Connor Bedard’s slap shot. McGroarty extended his skate to block the shot and was clearly in distress afterward.

He hobbled off the ice and needed help walking down the tunnel to the Penguins dressing room. He did not return for the third period.

McGroarty, 21, had three points (1-2-3) in his first seven NHL games, but all three of those points were in his previous three games. His first game since being recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was March 30 against the Ottawa Senators. He had been playing on the top line with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, but coach Mike Sullivan shuffled the lines after the first period, putting McGroarty on a line with Evgeni Malkin.

Fellow rookie Ville Koivunen played with Crosby.

UPDATE: Following the game, McGroarty was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot. Assistant coach David Quinn addressed the media in place of head coach Mike Sullivan, who was in a meeting. Quinn said McGroarty is still being evaluated but did not disclose the nature of the lower-body injury.