Jeff Carter, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been showcasing his top-level performance in recent games as the team pushes to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Despite his impressive play, coach Mike Sullivan announced that Carter will be sidelined for the Tuesday game against the New Jersey Devils due to an upper-body injury.
Over the past three games, Carter has contributed two points, including a goal, highlighting his valuable presence on the ice. Throughout the season, he has scored nine goals in 61 games, proving to be a consistent asset not only in the Penguins’ power play but also on the penalty kill.
According to Sullivan, Carter’s absence is attributed to his day-to-day status with the upper-body injury. He was absent from the team’s morning skate ahead of the Devils matchup after logging 14:27 of playtime in Sunday’s victory against the Detroit Red Wings.
Since January 4th, Carter has consistently played no less than 12 minutes per game, underscoring his significant role within the team. With fellow fourth-line forward Jansen Harkins on LTIR, the Penguins have called up Jonathan Gruden on an emergency basis to fill the gap.