Pens Points: Injuries Piling Up

Right as the Penguins needed all hands on deck to make a last minute playoff push, the injury bug has reared its ugly head at the worst possible time. Bryan Rust and Chad Ruhwedel join an ever growing list of Penguins who will spend time out of the lineup for various injuries. In a sure sign how quickly things can change, the Penguins were relatively lucky all year when it came to injuries, but February was not kind to the now ailing team.

End February on a high note with today’s Pens Points...

Since the beginning of the month, the Penguins have gone from a relatively healthy squad to one decimated by injuries. Bryan Rust and Chad Ruhwedel suffered injuries on Tuesday night in Columbus, and head coach Mike Sullivan revealed both players will be out longer-term. [Pensburgh]

With all the injuries piling up some moves will need to be made to fill the void left in the Penguins roster. Teddy Blueger will look to fill one of those holes now that he has once again been recalled from the AHL. [Penguins]

As injuries begin to mount for the Penguins, their resolve will be put to the test as they make a push to the playoffs while missing key parts of their lineup at the worst possible time. [NHL]

When the Penguins sent Derick Brassard to Florida a few weeks ago, the biggest name coming back was center Nick Bjugstad. Coming with Bjugstad was Jared McCann, but few were familiar with him at the time. Now that he has a few games under his belt in Pittsburgh, McCann looks like he may the the real prize from this blockbuster. [Pensburgh]

Missing their top two defenseman on Tuesday night, the Penguins went into Columbus and recorded a huge victory over the rival Blue Jackets. With Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin out, it was Justin Schultz and Jack Johnson who stepped up in a major way. [Trib Live]

Erik Gudbranson has cleared U.S. customs and joined his new teammates on the ice for the first time on Wednesday. After a rough tenure with the Canucks, Gudbranson is welcoming the challenge presented to him with the Penguins. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

For over a decade, the Penguins “Little Penguins” program has helped introduce thousands of young children to the game of hockey. On Wednesday, participants in the “Little Penguins” program got a special surprise when they had the opportunity to take the ice with none other than Sidney Crosby. [Penguins]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Things went off the rails between the San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins on Tuesday evening when Zdeno Chara connected on a high hit on Evander Kane. Following the hit, Kane went after Chara then chastised the NHL for not reviewing the incident. [Sporting News]

No one expected the New York Islanders to be in contention for a playoff spot much less leading the Metro division at this point in the season. Losing John Tavares in the offseason was a major blow, but hiring Barry Trotz as head coach was the move that made all this possible. [Sports Illustrated]