Penguins’ Rakell, DeSmith sit out practice after Game 1 injuries, listed as day-to-day
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell and goalie Casey DeSmith are day-to-day with injuries suffered in Game 1, the team told reporters Wednesday.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said DeSmith was being evaluated for a lower-body injury and they would call up Alex D’Orio from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as backup.
Dispensing with the traditional feeling-out process, the Penguins-Rangers engaged in a violent, penalty-filled playoff opener, with players on both sides hobbling after Game 1 on Tuesday.
The cost for the Penguins was DeSmith, who limped off the ice after 89:07 of action, midway through the second overtime period, and making 48 saves. Because No. 1 goalie Tristan Jarry had previously been already ruled out for Games 1 and 2, Louis Domingue came in as DeSmith’s replacement and held the fort for his team’s OT win. Jarry continues to work off-ice on his rehab, the team said Wednesday.
Domingue, who has played on six teams since 2017-18 and played in only two games for the Pens this season, stopped all nine shots he faced in the second OT. He saved another eight in the sixth period.
Rakell was shaken up and left the ice after a hit by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren in the first period.
Neither was on the ice to start practice on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Domingue and Rangers emergency backup goalie Reid Robertson were in the nets for the Penguins.