Matt Cullen will be out long-term with a lower-body injury. The Pittsburgh Penguins have not announced an exact timeline for his return.
Coach Sullivan says Matt Cullen will be out longer-term with a lower-body injury.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 19, 2018
Penguins Matt Cullen Injured
Pittsburgh’s head coach Mike Sullivan announced Monday that Cullen is facing an extended absence after sustaining a lower-body injury. The injury occurred during Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators. The Penguins lost the contest, 6-4. Cullen netted one goal in the game, during a late push in the third period.
Currently, Cullen has two goals and two assists for four points in 18 games.
What this means for the future
The team hasn’t announced a specific timetable for Cullens return. If the veteran is going to be out for a significant amount of time, moving him to the injured reserve will open up a roster spot for Pittsburgh.
Cullen plays an important part in the team’s penalty kill unit. Pittsburgh will need to fill that void. Addressing this specifically will be even more critical since the Penguins recently traded Carl Hagelin to the Los Angeles Kings to acquire forward Tanner Pearson. Cullen and Hagelin were used frequently on the Penguins penalty kill unit.
Riley Sheahan will be used to fill the space during Cullens absence. Sheahan was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s game. He centred the Pens third line between Zach Aston-Reese and Bryan Rust during Monday’s morning skate. Daniel Sprong could slot back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the past four games.
The Penguins have been struggling and are currently in the last place in the Metropolitan Division. Recently, Sullivan recently a desire to shake things up, in order to ignite a spark in the lineup. Cullen being out long-term with this injury will open some space and possibly allow that to happen.
Main Photo: PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 1: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Matt Cullen (7) skates during the overtime period. The Washington Capitals won 3-2 in overtime of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 1, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
