Jarry’s recovery moves forward
Goalie participates in skate with team
NEW YORK — Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry took another significant step forward Wednesday in his recovery from a broken foot. For the first time since his injury, he joined teammates for an optional morning skate.
“Tristan had his longest workout,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think he made a big jump today just as far as his progression in his return to play.”
Sullivan said Jarry’s status is currently day to day. The No. 1 netminder did not dress against the Rangers for Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Instead, third goalie Louis Domingue made his fourth consecutive start.
Jarry, who was injured on April 14, first took the ice on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena ahead of Game 3. However, he did not face any shots during that session. After an off day Sunday, the rehab progressed Monday when Jarry saw shots from goaltending coach Andy Chiodo in a controlled environment. Jarry worked out again with Chiodo ahead of practice Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Jarry worked out for about 45 minutes with Chiodo and skills coach Ty Hennes. They went through a series of game-like drills with both coaches firing shots from different angles and in quick succession. Jarry then stuck around to join about a dozen teammates for drills.
The fact that Jarry rejoined the team for practice brings him one step closer to a return. It’s worth noting that goalies take longer than skaters to get back up to speed after a prolonged period off the ice, as the position is predicated upon muscle memory and reaction time.
“I think the most important thing is, to the best of his ability, making sure that he’s physically ready to step in and get some hard practices in before playing, and to be able to meet the demands of stepping on a moving train,” Chiodo told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette before the series began.
Dumoulin still out
The Penguins will be without their top-pairing left-hander for the fourth consecutive game, as Brian Dumoulin’s injury absence continued. Dumoulin completed the Game 1 tripleovertime marathon. He then participated in last Tuesday’s optional practice and last Wednesday’s optional morning skate ahead of Game 2. He has not been on the ice since.
The injury has forced the Penguins to reshuffle their defensive pairs. Mike Matheson has skated alongside Kris Letang in the top pairing. On the third pair, Mark Friedman has earned an opportunity alongside Chad Ruhwedel. Sullivan praise the pair for their “steady play.”
“For me, the biggest thing that they bring to our team is just they’re steady,”
Sullivan said. “They [have a] reliable, trustworthy, steady game. They defend hard. They use their mobility. They use their sticks. They’re not overly big guys, but they’re competitive guys.”
In other injury news, Rickard Rakell continued his on-ice rehab. He skated with teammates for the second consecutive day. His status remains day to day.
Sid-sational
Sidney Crosby has been the driving force behind the Penguins’ 3- 1 series lead.
Entering Game 5, his nine points are tied for the second most of any player in any playoff series. His five primary assists ranks second behind only Connor McDavid, who has played one more game. Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Crosby’s linemate Brian Rust was asked if the 34year-old captain has turned back the clock.
“I’m not sure he has the same clock as the rest of us,” Rust said. “His time might go a little bit slower than ours. You can see the way he’s playing. The way he feels. The way he’s
moving on the ice. He’s feeling confident, playing hard. Doing little things offensively and defensively to have success.”
The ripple effect is evident on his linemates. Across all series, Jake Guentzel has racked up the
second-most goals with five. Crosby has assisted on all five. Only Kirill Kaprizov (seven in five games) has more.