This sure isn’t news I wanted to hear…or share.
The Penguins announced that power forward Anthony Mantha will be out day-to-day with a lower-body injury. While there’s no indication of the exact nature of the ailment, pray it doesn’t involve his surgically repaired right ACL, which caused him to miss most of last season.
He joins Evgeni Malkin and Blake Lizotte in the Rx ward.
With 26 goals and 53 points, the Big Moe’s enjoying a banner season. Since January 15, he’s tallied 12 goals and 24 points in 26 games, nearly a point-per-game clip. The burly 6’5”, 234-pounder was an absolute horse during Sidney Crosby’s 11-game absence, racking up six goals and 10 points.
Barring a recall from the Baby Pens, it appears veteran Kevin Hayes will fill Mantha’s slot.
The good news if you can call it that? Anthony will accompany the team on the trip to Ottawa for Thursday night’s critical clash with the Senators.