The Pittsburgh Penguins’ faithful will have to hold their collective breath while awaiting news on leading scorer Jake Guentzel, after coach Mike Sullivan said no update will be provided on the forward until at least Tuesday.
“There’s no status on him right now,” Sullivan said of Guentzel after Monday’s 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. “He’s being evaluated by our doctors. We could have more information tomorrow.”
Guentzel’s apparent injury was sustained roughly seven minutes into the third period on a play in which he registered his 200th NHL point. He skated to the net and tapped in a pass from Evgeni Malkin, then got tangled up with Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot and crashed into the boards.
Guentzel did not return, finishing the night with a goal and two assists in 14:15 of ice time.
The 25-year-old has 43 points in 39 games, leading a beleaguered Pittsburgh team that is still without injured players Sidney Crosby, Nick Bjugstad, Justin Schultz and Brian Dumoulin.
Patric Hornqvist also just returned after nearly a month’s absence due to injury, while Evgeni Malkin missed roughly a month earlier in the season.
The Penguins’ next game is Thursday, when they host the San Jose Sharks.
