Injured Penguins forward Matt Nieto another step closer to a return
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Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Nieto played his first game in nearly a year Saturday, suiting up for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 5-0 home win against the Rochester Americans.
Assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate for conditioning purposes earlier in the day, Nieto opened the contest on the left wing of the third line and scored a goal on two shots.
Nieto makes his mark early! pic.twitter.com/jA44jVLVEe
— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) November 9, 2024
It was his first game at any level since he suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-2 road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 30, 2023.
Since then, a pair of injuries to each knee that required surgery have kept him sidelined before suiting up on Saturday.
“He scored a goal,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “So we were excited about that and thrilled for him. He’s worked extremely hard to get to the point that he’s at. He went through a couple of surgeries. That was a long rehab process. (Nieto) is just a quality guy that is determined to get back into the lineup here in Pittsburgh. For him to get the point where he’s playing (AHL) games and putting himself in that position has just been a remarkable recovery process. He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s gone through to get himself where he is.”
As his NHL status is concerned, Nieto is designated to long-term injured reserve. Per NHL rules, conditioning assignments are limited to two weeks.
Sullivan was short on specifics but suggested Nieto will get the full two weeks to get back into game shape.
“When you think about his rehab, it’s been (almost) a year since he’s played a game,” Sullivan said. “So it’s a long time. For him to get in some game-real scenarios, it’s essential, quite honestly, to set him up for success.”
Glass, Hayes sidelined
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Penguins forward Cody Glass was diagnosed with a concussion and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Sullivan announced Glass’ status after a practice session in Cranberry on Sunday.
Glass was injured during a 5-1 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. He did not record a shift beyond the 19-minute mark of the first period.
In 14 games this season, Glass has recorded four assists while averaging 11:48 of ice time. He was designated to injured reserve on Friday before a 4-2 road win against the Washington Capitals.
Also sidelined is forward Kevin Hayes. Per Sullivan, Hayes will be absent on a week-to-week basis because of an undisclosed injury.
He has been scratched in the past two games.
Appearing in 14 games this season, Hayes has scored four points (three goals, one assist) while clocking an average of 9:27 of ice time per contest.
Power play reconfigured again
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The composition of the Penguins’ top power-play unit offered yet another look Sunday as the team skated with four forwards (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust) as well as one defenseman (Erik Karlsson).
To open the season, the Penguins utilized three forwards (Crosby, Malkin and Rakell) with two defensemen (Karlsson at left flank and Kris Letang at point). While the names have changed after a month of play, the dynamic of three forwards and two defensemen largely had remained in place until Sunday.
Before this season, the Penguins primarily have utilized four forwards and one defenseman for well over a decade.
“I don’t know if it’s going to make that much of a big difference in that regard vs. two (defensemen) and three forwards,” Rakell said. “(Karlsson) playing the point is the position that he’s always played in. Playing the flank (to open the season) was a new position for him. That’s probably only the major difference I would say.”
Ideally, the presence of two defensemen presents a sturdier defensive presence to prevent short-handed goals. With only one defenseman on the top unit, the four forwards with that group need to offer greater support to the sole blue-liner in that regard.
Last season, the Penguins allowed a league-worst 12 short-handed goals.
“Going back to last year, we gave up a lot of chances like that,” Rakell said. “But, obviously, you have to be extra cautious or just know that you’ve got to cover for each other.”
On Sunday, the second unit comprised forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Bunting and Jesse Puljujarvi along with defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and Letang.