It is possible that the Penguins will start the regular season without all of their regulars. Brian Dumoulin and to a lesser extent Daniel Sprong were expected to be on the opening night roster. Both were missing from practice today
Sprong and Dumoulin are the only players absent from #Pens practice. Sprong is dealing with a lower-body injury and Dumoulin left Friday's game at #CBJ with an upper-body injury. -MC
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 30, 2018
Brian Dumoulin being out is more significant than Daniel Sprong. Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin were one of the best pairings in hockey last year despite their unfortunate on-ice save percentage. The Penguins still need to lean on them with some uncertainties further down the lineup.
Here is what the lineup looked like at practice today
#Pens lines and D-pairs:
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 30, 2018
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel
Simon-Brassard-Rust
Cullen-Sheahan-Aston-Reese
Riikola-Letang
Maatta-Johnson
Oleksiak-Schultz
Ruhwedel-Trotman
-MC
No surprises with the forwards. It will be Juuso Riikola taking over the top spot on the left side, for now. Depending on how long Dumoulin is out if Riikola can ice time with the big club (with Letang or without) he may be able to play himself out of WB/S and make the NHL big bucks. He seems to be one of the players that has made the most of the preseason. There’s still time before the season kicks off on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The injury developments will be more clear as the week goes on.
Thanks for reading!