Domingue OUT Week to Week, Aston-Reese Day-to-Day

The Pittsburgh Penguins injury curse waited exactly one day to strike. Within 48 hours of headlines touting the Penguins full lineup, three injuries struck the middle of the Penguins lineup and the net.

Jason Zucker reaggravated his lower-body injury, and two more players followed.

According to head coach Mike Sullivan, Louis Domingue who inserted himself into a competition for the backup goalie role will be out week-to-week after being hit by a shot on the inside of his foot during Thursday’s morning skate before the Penguins hosted the Ottawa Senators. Eight days ago, Domingue wowed the Pittsburgh Penguins by stopping 40 of 41 shots against the San Jose Sharks.

Domingue stole a 2-1 OT win for the Penguins. He was to serve as the backup on Thursday night, according to Sullivan, and presumably start against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Sullivan said the plan for DeSmith was to get a few practices before being activated from the COVID protocol list. However, Domingue’s injury pressed DeSmith into service. DeSmith started against Columbus but allowed two soft goals on 12 shots in the first period. No. 1 goalie Tristan Jarry relieved DeSmith and the Penguins accelerated to a 5-2 win.

Zach Aston-Reese blocked a shot later in the second period against Columbus on Friday. He took one more shift but didn’t play in the third period. Sullivan said Aston-Reese will be out on a day-to-day basis.

Brian Boyle moved to the fourth-line LW in Aston-Reese’s sted.

DeSmith remains the Penguins’ backup goalie. Jarry started and appeared in his fourth straight game on Sunday against Winnipeg.