Pittsburgh Penguins might get a big boost ahead of the 2019/20 NHL season resume. All-Star forward Jake Guentzel, who’s been out since December, joined the team’s workouts this week and could be ready for the Stanley Cup Qualifiers series against Montreal Canadiens.
Guentzel underwent shoulder surgery in late December and was initially set to miss the rest of the season rehabbing. However, the season push-back due to the coronavirus pandemic gave the 25-year-old forward enough time to recover and get in the game shape.
“I’m getting better every day. Just kind of sticking to the protocol and what I have to do. If we start playing, hopefully I’ll be ready by then,” said Guentzel in a recent chat with NHL.com. “If I can get rehabbed and feeling good, that’d be nice to get back playing.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished the regular NHL season third in the Metro Division with 38-30-5 record, which usually wouldn’t be enough for the Stanley Cup playoffs spot. However, due to changed format, the team will get an opportunity to “play-in” their way to the postseason hockey. They will face the Montreal Canadiens in the best-of-five series, with the winner getting a playoff spot.
Having Jake Guentzel will definitely boost the Penguins’ odds, as he was one of the team’s best players this season. Before going down with the injury, Guentzel scored 20 goals and dished 23 assists in just 39 games. This brought him his first All-Star appearance.
