Penguins Prospect Sam Poulin Back from Injury; Scores Quick Goal

It won’t specifically benefit the Pittsburgh Penguins before their Hockey Night in Canada tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, but one of their top prospects returned to the AHL lineup after missing 18 games due to injury.

Sam Poulin, their 2019 first-round pick, has been rehabbing for several weeks, including some time in Pittsburgh with the NHL staff. Saturday, he was slotted at left wing beside center Peter Abbandanato and right-wing Austin Rueschhoff.

Poulin, 22, made his NHL debut last season, earning one assist in three games. He stepped away from the game for several months to deal with personal issues.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound forward, who can play wing or center, returned with impact. Just over six minutes into the game, Poulin scored the first goal of the game.

Svejkovsky comes out of the box. Score stays 0-0

— WBS Penguins (@WBSPenguins) December 16, 2023

The goal was Poulin’s second goal of the AHL season. Entering the game, he had one goal and one assist in five games.