Penguins C Staal to return from injury
Share This Story
PITTSBURGH (AP)
Jordan Staal's left knee is fine. His face, however, could use some work.
The Pittsburgh Penguins center plans to play on Saturday against Winnipeg in his first game since injuring the knee in a loss to the New York Rangers on Jan. 6. The road back has gone smoothly enough until Staal started practicing with his teammates this week.
In the span of a couple days Staal took a stick to the mouth courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and his left eye sports a welt following a collision. At this point, the safest place for Staal to be may be on the ice against another team.
''I'm feeling really good,'' Staal said. ''The last couple days were great just getting a couple practices with the team, getting the timing back and everything. Things are looking up.''
The Penguins could certainly use the boost Staal's presence should provide. Though Pittsburgh has righted itself following a six-game losing streak that spanned the new year - going 9-2-1 since the streak ended on Jan. 13 - the Penguins have gotten by largely on the back of Malkin, James Neal and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Malkin and Neal have combined for 19 of Pittsburgh's 35 goals during its recent run while Fleury is playing perhaps the best hockey of his career. The Penguins know they'll need other lines to produce if they want to advance deep into the playoffs even if captain Sidney Crosby doesn't make it back from concussion-like symptoms.
Crosby skated for about an hour early Friday. While there remains no timetable for his return, the team is cautiously optimistic he'll be back sometime before the postseason.
Until then, it will be up to Staal to give the team a second productive line that can take some of the pressure off Neal and Malkin.
Staal looked up to the task before smacking knees with New York's Mike Rupp during a 3-1 loss. He had 15 goals in 34 games at the time of the injury, putting him on pace to surpass his career high of 29 goals set during the 2006-07 season.
''He understands how big and strong he is,'' coach Dan Bylsma said. ''He's not a dangle in front of you, go around you and through you type of player. But when he uses his strength, he can overpower people.''
Bylsma expects to play Staal ''15-plus'' minutes and is optimistic Staal can play on both Saturday and Sunday, when the Penguins host Tampa Bay.
Dupuis doesn't think it will take long to get into sync with Staal at center.
''You look at the way we play, and it's not like one line plays one way and another line plays another way,'' Dupuis said. ''We all end up playing with each other at some point, whether it's on special teams or whatever. We know what (Staal) can do and we know how he likes to play.''
Staal is trying to temper expectations, mostly in hopes he doesn't jinx himself. The player who didn't miss a game during his first four seasons in the league has sat out significant chunks of time in each of the last two seasons.
''It's tough being out,'' Staal said. ''I think that's the hardest thing, just missing the guys and the daily stuff. It doesn't get any easier, that's for sure. I'm glad to be back.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Roddick doesn't deserve all this blame
We can't hold Roddick to unfair standard any longer.
NHL Videos
Stanley Cup Preview: X Factors
Posted: May 29, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Posted: May 28, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
Stanley Cup Preview: Coaches & Strategy
Posted: May 28, 2012
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.