Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal has a concussion, according to head coach Dan Bylsma after practice on Monday afternoon.
James Neal injury: Penguins forward has concussion, will miss time
The Pittsburgh Penguins have experienced another blow to their top-six forward group as James Neal will miss at least three games with a concussion.
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Neal sustained the injury during the third period of Friday night's game against the New York Rangers when defenseman Michael Del Zotto hit Neal in the head with an elbow. After the impact, Neal appeared dazed and remained on the ice until a Pittsburgh trainer came to examine him. He ultimately required assistance to leave the ice and would not return to the game.
Del Zotto did not receive supplemental discipline for the play.
Bylsma announced on Monday that Neal was unable to participate in practice and that he would not be traveling with the team on their upcoming three-game road trip, which begins on Tuesday night in Carolina and concludes on Saturday night in Florida.
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After the road trip, Pittsburgh will return home for a game next Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens.
With Neal and captain Sidney Crosby out of the lineup, Bylsma reconstructed his top-line with Evgeni Malkin centering Chris Kunitz and Jarome Iginla. Pascal Dupuis was on the second line with Brenden Morrow and Jussi Jokinen. It's unclear whether those will be the combinations the team uses on Tuesday night.
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