Penguins

Penguins Activate Galchenyuk, Dumoulin: Both Expected to Play

Published

5 years ago

October 29, 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Matt Murray (30) makes a save on Dallas Stars Left Wing Andrew Cogliano (11) in front while Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) defends during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Dallas Stars on October 18, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

The Pittsburgh Penguins run of good injury news over the past several days continued Tuesday when top-pairing defenseman Brian Dumoulin and scoring winger Alex Galchenyuk were activated from IR and are officially game-time decisions to face the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Dumoulin followed starting goalie Matt Murray onto the ice before warmups.

While nothing is official until the puck drops, the pair are expected to play.

Dumoulin, 28, played in the first eight games this season before he suffered an undisclosed injury. He took the pregame warmups in the following game but was unable to play. In eight games, Dumoulin has three assists and averaged over 21 minutes per game.

Galchenyuk arrived to the Penguins via the Phil Kessel trade in June. Galchenyuk had an allergic reaction to a medication. In three games this season, he had two assists mostly playing beside center Evgeni Malkin, who has also been on the IR since the second game of the season.

To make room for Dumoulin and Galchenyuk, the Penguins returned Adam Johnson and Joseph Blandisi to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL on Monday. Johnson and Blandisi each had one goal and one assist in nine NHL games.

Galchenyuk, 25, played almost exclusively beside Malkin through training camp and in the first two games of the season. Last season with Arizona, Galchenyuk had 41 points, including 19 goals. He is in the final year of a three-year contract which pays him $4.9 million annually.

Dumoulin’s absence caused the Penguins to juggle their blue line pairings Saturday in Dallas. After trading defenseman Erik Gudbranson Friday, the Penguins paired young defensemen Juuso Riikola with John Marino. The duo-received positive results but the Penguins will be able to return to their new normal Tuesday night. Jack Johnson who skated with top defenseman Kris Letang Saturday, will likely skate to Marino’s left, while Dumoulin resumes his typical spot beside Letang.

The Pittsburgh Penguins meet their rival Philadephia Flyers for the first time this season.