Kahun misses 2nd game in row
WASHINGTON — For the second time this week, Dominik Kahun was labeled a game-time decision. And for the second time this week, that decision was ultimately a “no.”
The 24-year-old Czechborn forward initially was injured Thursday, when he blocked a shot off of his left knee at the end of the Penguins’ 4-0 loss in Toronto. Kahun immediately went to the dressing room. He did not practice Friday and missed a loss Saturday against Buffalo and the loss Sunday to the Washington Capitals. In both instances, he tested the ailing leg at pregame warm-ups but ultimately was scratched from the lineup.
On the lineup sheet distributed to the media at Capital One Arena, Kahun was scheduled to play left wing on a line with Sam Lafferty at center and Anthony Angello at right wing. Instead, Andrew Agozzino was inserted as the fourthline center and Lafferty slid over to left wing.
The fact that Kahun felt healthy enough to test his leg is, in itself, a positive sign when it comes to his availability for this week’s three-game road swing in the West. The Penguins could use him back sooner than later. After starting the season with just two points in the first 11 games, he has emerged as a versatile player and a top-six forward option when healthy. Among healthy wingers, Kahun’s 27 points rank third on the team behind only Bryan Rust (49) and Jared McCann (32).
Trotman gets the nod
Penguins defenseman Zach Trotman, who was called up Wednesday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, got the nod for the second day in a row.
The right-handed defenseman was asked to play on his off side next to fellow right-hander Chad Ruhwedel. That’s noteworthy for a couple of reasons.
For one, virtually every time Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Jim Rutherford discuss the defensive corps, they always include Trotman. They consider him one of their nine NHL-caliber defenseman, even if he has spent time this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
At the same time, the move says something about the Penguins depth on the left side of their blue line. Left-hander Juuso Riikola would be the natural option on the left side because of his handedness. But the Penguins have explored different options instead. They played Ruhwedel on his off side earlier this year in place of Riikola. John Marino and Kris Letang also spent time on their off sides on the top pairing, which in turn had a ripple effect that meant Riikola was a scratch.
Theoretically, when Brian Dumoulin returns from ankle surgery, the left side of the Penguins blue line will get a major shot in the arm. Not only does he have the skill to play on the top pairing, but also has built chemistry with Letang.
Dumoulin recently began skating as his rehabilitation continues into the on -ice phase. With the trade deadline looming at 3 p.m. Monday, it remains to be seen if the Penguins choose to address that side of their defensive corps via a trade.
Around the boards
After tallying his 700th career goal Saturday, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin was limited to just one shot on net in Washington’s 5-3 win against the Penguins. … Penguins forward Jared McCann ranks sixth on the team with 32 points, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since he scored goals in three consecutive games Jan. 12, 14 and 16. He had two prime opportunities Sunday. He hit the post once and got behind goalie Braden Holtby in the blue paint on a play he just missed finishing. … Capitals defenseman John Carlson became the franchise’s all-time points leader among defensemen after recording two points Sunday. Carlson recorded his 475th career point, passing Calle Johansson (474).