Penguins Injury Updates: Aston-Reese Resumes Skating

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins injury-depleted roster is getting closer to recovering key members as the team inches towards the playoffs for the 13th consecutive year.

Speaking to the media prior to the Sunday afternoon game against Carolina, Sullivan specifically mentioned that injured forward Zach Aston-Reese has resumed skating. It is an important step for the rookie who is believed be suffering from a hip injury which he sustained March 10 against the Boston Bruins.

Aston-Reese, 24, ascended to top-six ice time before his injury. The undrafted free agent from Staten Island, NY has 17 points (8g, 9a) in 43 games this season.

Sullivan also said Kris Letang skated again Sunday morning, as did Evgeni Malkin and Chad Ruhwedel. Malkin spoke to reporters yesterday and briefly touched on his injury. Malkin also did not believe the cross-check by Robert Bortuzzo which injured Malkin’s ribs was legal, or clean. You can read the full story and watch the locker room video here.

Beginning with the game in which Malkin was injured on March 16, the Penguins have scored 14 goals in their last seven games. They have also missed Letang for several of those games, too.

The Pittsburgh Penguins magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four points. Their rivals and competitors were winners Saturday night including Carolina, which now trails the Penguins by just two points for third place in the Metro Division.