Crosby will not play on Monday, but passing the infectious stage means that he will be able to return to practice. The Penguins are back in action on Thursday, so monitor his status leading up to Thursday’s clash with the Avalanche.
The Penguins confirmed that Crosby has been diagnosed with mumps and will not play on Monday vs. the Lightning. Crosby's status will be monitored daily, but the team believes that he will be through the infectious period by Monday. Monitor his status leading up to Thursday's contest vs. the Avs.
This is not surprising news after the picture of his swollen face surfaced. Mumps effects everyone differently so the timeline for his return is uncertain. The Penguins are expected to hold a press conference at 11:30 PM ET, where more details should be released.
Rust, 22, was recalled last week, but never got into the lineup. He has 10 goals and four assists (14 points) in 25 games with WBS. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight for Jayson Megna, who was sent back to WBS when Rust was recalled.
As expected, Letang should be back in tonight after missing five games with a groin injury. He should be activated in all formats.
Crosby is dealing with an illness and will be held out of the next two games as a precaution. He will undergo further testing in the next few days to determine the nature of the illness. The Penguins are expected to get Patric Hornqvist and Kris Letang back tonight, but losing Crosby is detrimental.
With Danny DeKeyser out, Xavier Ouellet was recalled on Thursday and will play tonight vs. Florida. Ouellet has one goal and one assist in five games with the Red Wings this season. He will be paired with Jakub Kindl tonight.
Letang has missed the last five games with a groin injury, but is expected to be back tonight according to coach Johnston. Letang has registered 18 points (4G / 14A) in 22 games this season and is a premiere fantasy option on the back-end.
Crosby missed Thursday’s practice because he was under the weather, but he is on the ice this morning for the game-day skate, so expect him to suit up tonight vs. Calgary. He could also have Patric Hornqvist returning to his wing tonight.
Letang has missed the last five games with a groin injury that he suffered in late October. Letang took part in a full practice on Thursday and said that he just needs to be cleared by the Penguins medical department.
The Red Wings will be without Danny DeKeyser (upper-body) this weekend, so Ouellet has been recalled and could play on Friday. Ouellet has one goal and one assist in five games with the Red Wings this season. While in Grand Rapids, he recorded seven points (1G / 6A) in 18 games.
Letang was on the ice for the Penguins’ morning skate on Monday, but did not take part in line rushes and was not very involved in drills. It looks like Letang will miss a fifth straight game, but being on the ice for the morning skate, is a good sign that he should be back this week.
Rust did not get into the lineup during his recall. He was scheduled to play this afternoon, he lost his spot in the lineup when the Penguins acquired Rob Klinkhammer on Friday.
Rakell, 21, had three assists in 17 games with the Ducks before being sent down. In two games with Norfolk, Rakell tallied ones goal and three assists. He has been recalled because Corey Perry is out with a knee injury.
Letang will miss his fourth consecutive game with a groin injury this afternoon. However, the fact that he skated this morning suggests that he could join the Penguins for practice next week, which is the next step in returning to the lineup.
Rust, 22, was the Penguins third round pick (80th overall) in 2010. His recall likely means that Patric Hornqvist’s injury last night will keep him sidelined for a little while at least. Rust has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 22 games with WBS.
Letang’s “minor lower-body injury” is not looking so minor anymore. Coach Johnston said that it will be about two weeks, so we will consider him out for 10-14 days. Christian Ehrhoff and Olli Maatta get a bump in fantasy value with the extended power-play time they will see.
The Penguins originally called Letang’ injury a minor lower-body ailment, but a groin injury is a little more serious than minor, just for the fact they are so difficult to manage. There is no word on when the Penguins expect to get Letang back in the lineup.
The move is likely retroactive to November 28th, which means that Letang will miss Thursday’s game vs. the Canucks as well, because he is not eligible to be activated until Friday. The Penguins called it a “minor lower-body injury” so he could be back on Saturday vs. the Senators.
Head coach Mike Johnston said that Crosby is “under the weather” and undergoing some testing. Monitor Crosby’s status throughout the day, but I wouldn’t expect Crosby to sit due to an illness.
