Injured Pouliot’s status unclear

The Penguins could find themselves short a defenseman again if rookie Derrick Pouliot’s undisclosed injury keeps him out of the lineup tonight.

Pouliot left the overtime loss Tuesday night at Ottawa with what the club termed an upper-body injury. He is classified as day to day, according to coach Mike Johnston.

Pouliot will not be sent to the AHL team in WilkesBarre/Scranton in a swap for another defenseman. Why? Because players who are unable to play because of injury are ineligible to be loaned, according to NHL deputy commissioner Billy Daly. Before his injury, Pouliot was the only player the Penguins could have reassigned to the AHL team when the Penguins ran into salary-cap trouble. But because he is injured now, he’s no longer eligible.

Other injury updates

Forward Nick Spaling did not practice Thursday, but is expected to be back in the lineup tonight. He suffered an undisclosed lowerbody injury late in the game at Ottawa.

“I expect he’s going to be able to play. He should be fine,” Johnston said. “He got dinged up with six minutes left in the game or whatever it was the other night.”

Another forward, Steve Downie, returned to practice and is expected to be back in the lineup tonight.

High marks for Chorney

Defenseman Taylor Chorney may take on a larger role this weekend, Johnston said, citing his significant minor league experience. He manned the point on the power play in practice Thursday and looked fairly comfortable.

“Yes, he’s going to take more minutes for sure. He’s shown he deserves more minutes. He’s shown he’s capable of taking them,” said Johnston.

“A lot of poise on the power play. He’s only, what, has he worked with the power play for five days? Maybe two practices? He will, like the other guys, be expected to move up in minutes and responsibility for sure.”

Johnston said Chorney’s recall was in part because of his experience level.

“He’s a veteran player. He’s had 60-something NHL games. He’s had a lot of minor league experience.” said Johnston. “He didn’t look like the situation would overwhelm him.”

Honor for Murray

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rookie goaltender Matt Murray was named to the 2014-15 AHL first all-star team. Murray, a thirdround draft pick in 2012, has gone 24-9-3 in 38 appearances this season. He ranks first in the AHL in goalsagainst average (1.50), save percentage (.943) and shutouts (12).