Pittsburgh Penguins Prepare for Match Against Dallas Stars
As the Pittsburgh Penguins gear up for their match against the Dallas Stars on Sunday, practice sessions in Dallas have brought a glimmer of hope regarding two key forwards. Justin Brazeau and Noel Acciari, both of whom have been recovering from upper-body injuries and missed the entirety of November, participated in line rushes with the team, suggesting they are on track to return to the lineup. The return of either player would be significant, as their contributions have been sorely missed during their absence; Brazeau, specifically, has been a notable scorer, recording six goals and 12 points across 12 matches this season.
Roster Adjustments and Strategy
In connection with these developments, the Penguins announced a roster adjustment by sending Joona Koppanen back to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. This step is part of their broader strategy to facilitate the activation of Brazeau and Acciari from the injured reserve list. The team will need to navigate their roster carefully, and Boko Imama is positioned as a likely candidate for reassignment, having been with the Penguins for less than two weeks, which means he wouldn’t need to clear waivers.
Adding another layer of complexity, rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke is nearing the end of a conditioning loan. Once he concludes his fifth game with WBS, which he may play against the Hershey Bears, his roster spot will also require attention, especially since the Penguins might consider allowing him to represent Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.
Recent Performances and Upcoming Matches
In other news, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team celebrated a commanding victory over Lehigh Valley on Friday night. On the NHL front, Arturs Silovs has seen limited playtime, having started only once in the last five games, where he faced a challenging outing against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In comparison, Tristan Jarry has solidified his role as the Penguins’ main goaltender since his return from injured reserve, leading the team to four consecutive wins while Silovs has struggled, conceding eight goals in his last two starts.
Looking ahead, the Penguins are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, aiming to maintain their playoff spot while Tampa seeks to consolidate its lead in the Atlantic Division. To stay updated on the latest regarding the Penguins, including player features and roster changes, consider bookmarking THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on Google News.
