The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Kevin Porter for the rest of the regular season after the forward underwent surgery for an ankle injury. The Penguins have already been without Beau Bennett and Eric Fehr for an extended period of time with injuries, but both players are reportedly close to returning,
Porter will reportedly be out for 12 weeks following surgery, meaning that he likely will miss the remainder of the regular season for the Penguins. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters that Porter underwent surgery on Friday, and that it is a "longer-term injury" for the center. Porter suffered the injury in a 4-1 win against the New York Rangers.
Porter's right leg was pinned against the boards after taking a hit from Rangers left winger Viktor Stalberg. Porter fell awkwardly from the hit, resulting in the ankle injury. Porter limped off the ice and was taken to the locker room. He did not return to the game for the Penguins. The team has called up winger Josh Archibald from the AHL to take Porter's place on the roster.
"It's a tough setback for him and for us," Sullivan said.
If the Penguins make the playoffs, Porter has the chance to return for the postseason. Porter does not provide much scoring for the Penguins, but he gives the team solid depth at the center position. He has three assists in 41 games this season. The 29-year-old signed with the Penguins as a free agent in the offseason.
The Penguins have been playing without Eric Fehr and Beau Bennett in the lineup for over a month, but both players could be close to returning. Bennett is dealing with an upper-body injury, while Fehr has been suffering from a lower-body injury. Both players were able to practice on Friday for the first time since sitting out with injuries.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that neither player has a timetable to return. "I feel a lot better than I did a month ago. I'm excited to start this process," Fehr said.
The Penguins are currently in position to make the playoffs, as they are second in the wild card standings in the Eastern Conference. The team has 74 points coming into Saturday, sitting ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils by five points.
