Penguins Get Positive Injury News On Key Forward Ahead Of Playoffs

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Blake Lizotte

Penguins Get Positive Injury News On Key Forward Ahead Of Playoffs originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to see the return of forward Blake Lizotte to the lineup on Sunday.

Pittsburgh is taking on the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ahead of Game 1 on Saturday, Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported that Lizotte is expected to return from injury.

“Blake Lizotte, appears ready to play in Game 1, too,” Yohe wrote in an article published on Saturday morning. “This will be his first game since sustaining a hand injury in Salt Lake City more than a month ago. In case you weren’t sure of Lizotte’s importance to the Penguins, check these numbers out:

“The Penguins allowed 3.27 goals per game this season. Edmonton and Anaheim are the only NHL playoff teams with a worse goals-against average. In games with Lizotte in the lineup, the Penguins allowed 2.67 goals per game. In games without Lizotte in the lineup, the Penguins allowed 4.48 goals per game. That’s not a typo. Lizotte’s penalty killing and ferocity in the defensive zone have been missed.”