The Penguins were back on the ice Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, getting in a lively skate after a day off - and there was a bit of movement on the injury front.
A couple of regulars were missing from practice: Anthony Mantha was out for a maintenance day, and Joona Koppanen sat due to illness. But there was good news, too.
Forwards Justin Brazeau and Noel Acciari, both sidelined with upper-body injuries, were back in full-contact jerseys and cleared for contact. That’s a notable step forward, especially with the team heading into a two-game road swing through Tampa and Dallas.
Brazeau has missed 13 games, and Acciari has been out for 11. Both are on the trip, though head coach Dan Muse tempered expectations about their immediate return to game action.
“Today was a big step for them,” Muse said. “Both guys looked good.
So they’re getting close… Don’t think they’ll be in tomorrow.”
That’s a cautious but encouraging update, especially considering how both players were contributing before their injuries. Brazeau, in his first season with Pittsburgh, had found a groove on the second line with Evgeni Malkin, notching six goals in 12 games. He’s also been seeing time on the second power-play unit, and he was back in that role during Wednesday’s skate - a sign the coaching staff still sees him as a potential offensive piece.
Acciari, meanwhile, has been doing the dirty work on the fourth line and as a key penalty killer. He was back in that PK role during practice, a good sign that he’s close to resuming his usual responsibilities.
Another injured forward, Rickard Rakell, continues to make progress from wrist surgery. He skated before the full team session and was handling the puck with both hands on his stick - a small but important detail for a player working his way back from a wrist issue. No timetable yet, but it’s another step in the right direction.
The Penguins didn’t run traditional line rushes during practice, but the energy was high. A short-rink, three-on-three scrimmage brought some competitive juice, and Muse liked what he saw.
“The guys had good jump,” he said. “Good energy.
They came ready to go.”
Despite being in the middle of a three-game road stretch, the team opted to return home after Monday’s game in Philadelphia before flying out to Tampa on Wednesday. That’s a move that speaks to the organization’s emphasis on recovery and familiarity - and with key players inching closer to returns, every day of rest and preparation matters.
As the Penguins head back on the road, the lineup isn’t quite at full strength yet - but it’s getting closer. And if Brazeau and Acciari can rejoin the mix soon, Pittsburgh could be adding some important depth at just the right time.