Penguins Injury Updates: Guentzel Out Week-to-Week, Rust Not Yet Skating

Well, that’s just the Pittsburgh Penguins luck. Scorching hot winger Jake Guentzel, who is on a 13-game scoring streak and filling the net, will be out for some time.

Guentzel blocked a shot with his hand later in the first period on Monday night against the Seattle Kraken. He left the game briefly but returned to score two goals in the Penguins 6-1 win over the Kraken.

However, Guentzel was absent from practice on Wednesday. Head coach Mike Sullivan said Guentzel would be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Sullivan did not specify when the injury was suffered or exactly which “upper-body” part, but the hand or something close would be a good guess.

After a rough October in which Guentzel admitted he needed to do better, he has tortured opposing goalies. Guentzel has a team-leading 15 goals and 27 points in 24 games.

Winger Jason Zucker was also absent from the Pittsburgh Penguins practice. Sullivan termed his absence as a maintenance day. During practice, Drew O’Connor subbed for Zucker on the Penguins second line.

Injured winger Bryan Rust has not yet resumed skating. He remains out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, which is his second such length absence due to an injury this season.

Evgeni Malkin has been skating with the team but in a non-contact jersey. He assisted in a few drills on Wednesday but did not take part in line rushes, but did briefly take part in a couple of special teams drills.