Pittsburgh Penguins right-winger Beau Bennett will miss more than one game with his still-undisclosed injury. The team placed Bennett on injured reserve today, meaning that he will miss Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and next Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Head coach Mike Johnston had no further update on Bennett’s condition after the team’s practice on Friday.
“He’s injured right now and we’ll wait and see as he progresses over the next little while,” Johnston said.
Bennett finished the team’s home opener on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens with no visible issues. He played 14:05 and had a goal on six shots in one of his better performances with the team. He also chipped in with four hits.
With Bennett on the injured reserve and off the active roster, the Penguins recalled defenseman Tim Erixon from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Erixon had just been sent down the day before so that the team could recall forward Bryan Rust. Rust made his NHL debut in place of Bennett on Thursday. Erixon has yet to play in a game this season.
Rookie Daniel Sprong was elevated to the third line in Bennett’s usual spot next to Nick Bonino, and he responded by scoring his first NHL goal.
“Sprong has been a guy who keeps playing well,” Johnston said. “I think he gets better and better. He was rewarded with playing a bigger role, and he responded.”
Photo credit: NHLI/Getty Images
