If the Pittsburgh Penguins are to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, they may have to do so without Jordan Staal.
Staal underwent surgery Friday night to repair a severed tendon that runs across the top of his foot to his toe. The injury happened when he was cut by P.K. Subban's skate during a collision with the Montreal defenceman. It was originally believed that Staal would miss the remainder of the playoffs, however depending upon the healing process it is possible that Staal could join the Penguins drive by the Conference Final should the team advance that far.
Head coach Dan Bylsma told reporters at the morning skate on Saturday that Staal was day-to-day.
It is a similar injury to the one that caused Andrei Markov to miss 35 games at the beginning of the season.
The Thunder Bay, Ontario native had two goals and two assists in seven games for the Penguins in this year's playoffs. His loss will be felt on the Penguins penalty kill where the Selke Trophy nominee excels.
Staal had never missed an NHL game due to injury to this point in his career, having played 358 consecutive games.
