PITTSBURGH — Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese is sidelined "day-to-day" with a lower-body injury, coach Mike Sullivan announced ahead of Sunday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.
During Friday's game in Columbus, Aston-Reese absorbed a slap shot off the inside of the left knee. He went to the dressing room in pain, returned to play the second period but did not take a shift in the third.
The injury comes just after illness. Aston-Reese missed five games as he recovered from COVID-19. It was the second time this season that the forward has tested positive for the virus.
On the season, Aston-Reese has tallied one goal and seven assists in 33 games. His value is illuminated more in other metrics, such as hits — where he leads the team with 123.
In his absence, the Penguins will need to find a replacement on the left wing of the Teddy Blueger — Brock McGinn tandem. Brian Boyle has been on option for the Penguins in that role recently.
"I know he has a comfort level playing either position," Sullivan said about Boyle on the wing. "He's a smart player. He makes that adjustment really easily... If Teddy gets kicked out on the draw, we've got another centerman that can go in and take the face off."
Radim Zohorna could be another option for the Penguins. He was promoted from the taxi squad to the active roster late on Saturday night.
Entering Sunday's game, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Zohorna has played in a dozen NHL games in the past two seasons, logging three goals and three assists. This season, he's played in four NHL games and tallied one goal and one assist.
"For a big man, he's got good hands," Sullivan said. "He's got playmaking ability. And he has a little bit of finish to his game as well. He's another guy that we can use at the center position. We can also use him at the wing position. He's been very good for us when he's been in the lineup."
Domingue week-to-week
Penguins third goalie Louis Domingue will be sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
The netminder was originally slated to backup on Thursday and start on Friday, as regular backup Casey DeSmith recovered from COVID and its lingering effects. However, Domingue took a shot to the inside of the skate during a fluky accident at Thursday's morning skate.
Before the injury, many had been clamoring for Domingue to get more playing time after he stopped 40 of 41 shots on Jan. 15 to steal a win in San Jose. That strong performance, coupled with DeSmith's early-season struggles, could have prompted a competition in the crease. However, at least for the time being, the Penguins will now lean on DeSmith to get his game back on track.
Two goalies could be critical in the immediate future.
