Penguins Practice: Pettersson Not on Ice; New D Pairings

In print and in broadcast, there is one word that nearly invariably describes Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson. That’s steady. It’s practically part of his name. He can play with either of the team’s star defensemen, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson, has a strong defensive presence and can handle the puck well enough to help the team’s transition game and even pitch in some on offense.

It seems as though the Penguins might have to do without him for some period of time. He was not at practice Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Everyone else was in attendance.

Pettersson left Saturday’s overtime loss in Ottawa in the first period. He was hit into the boards and left immediately, under his own power but limping down the player runway. He seemed to favor his left leg. There was no update from coach Mike Sullivan afterward beyond the fact that Pettersson had a lower-body injury.

In 32 games this season, Pettersson has two goals, 11 assists.

In his absence, Matt Grzelcyk moved up to the second pairing with Erik Karlsson.

We hope to get an update from coach Mike Sullivan after practice.

Penguins lines, pairings

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Tomasino

Drew O’Connor-Cody Glass-Anthony Beauvillier

Matt Nieto-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Owen Pickering-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Penguins power plays

PP1 — Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Rikard Rakell, Michael Bunting, Matt Grzelcyk

PP2 — Erik Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Phil Tomasino, Cody Glass