VIDEO: Pittsburgh Penguins Winger Pascal Dupuis Suffers Knee Injury in Ottawa Monday Night
Dec 23, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Pascal Dupuis(9) is injured after colliding with center
Sidney Crosby(87) in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout their season-long battle with multiple injuries, one of the constants for the Pittsburgh Penguins has been their No. 1 line ofSidney Crosby,Chris KunitzandPascal Dupuis. Entering Monday night’s game in Ottawa, that trio hadn’t missed a single game among them this year.
Well, not only did the Penguins see their seven-game win streak come to a crashing endwith a 5-0 loss to the Senators, the healthy run of Pittsburgh’s top line is likely over, too.
Dupuis, who hasn’t missed a single regular-season or playoff game since 2011, left Monday’s tilt at Canadian Tire Centre with an apparent knee injury after Senators’ defensemanMarc Methotput a low hip check into Crosby, who tumbled into Dupuis’ right leg:
Dupuis didn’t return to the game. According to media reports, hecouldn’t walk without assistancein the dressing room following the loss. Rob Rossi of thePittsburgh Tribune-Reviewsaid the Penguins think Dupuis might’ve suffered ligament damage, but they won’t know for sure until tests are run this week.
It goes without saying Dupuis’ status for Friday’s game in Carolina is in doubt. If the 34-year-old Quebec native sits out, he will be the 11th Penguins player to miss a game due to injury this season. ForwardsBeau BennettandTanner Glasshave been out of the lineup for significant time, as have defensemenRob Scuderi,Paul Martin,Brooks OrpikandKris Letang, to say nothing of goalieTomas Vokoun, who has been recovering from a blood clot issue in Florida since September.
Orpik, Scuderi and Glass have been participating in practices lately, so thePenguins’ postgame reassignmentof wingHarry Zolnierczykand bluelinerPhilip Samuelssonto the AHL should indicate the return of two rehabbing players for Friday’s game.