It's Injury season here in Pittsburgh as the penguins have started to have the injury bug hit them in full force.
With multi week injuries announced by the Penguins that have hit the team hard and allowed rookie Benjamin Kindel to step in after a huge two goal night in Toronto on Monday, into a first line role with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.
1. Injury List
Justin Brazeau: OUT at least four weeks - Noel Acciari: OUT at least three weeks. - Tristan Jarry: OUT at least three weeks.
Benjamin Kindel has gone from centering Tommy Novak and Ville Koivunen to now playing with five combined Stanley cups in Rust and Crosby. Head Coach Dan Muse clearly has heavy trust in the 18 year old who is now on the first line and is playing first line powerplay minutes.
Benjamin Kindel is currently tied for first in rookie goal scoring with Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer. Kindel currently sits tied for 12th in points, tied for second in power-play goals.
Kindel spoke today on the opportunity to play on the first line and how grateful he is to have this opportunity to play with Sidney Crosby, someone he idolized.
""Just trying to work as hard as I can. They're very smart players, and Im just trying to read off them as much as I can... trying to move the puck to them, win puck battles, just keep plays alive, stuff like that.""Kindel on his approach with 87 and 17
Sidney Crosby talked very highly about his brand new line mate who sits in the stall next to him after practice.
""Just a lot of speed. Skates really well and competes hard on pucks. So, yeah, just we'll try to work off each other.""Crosby on Kindel brings to his line
We will have the first opportunity to see Kindel play alongside Crosby and Rust on November 6, as they return home to take on a familiar foe in Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at 7:30 p.m. EST.