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Penguins Coach Dan Muse Shares Andrei Kuzmenko Update Before Game vs. Blackhawks
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- Penguins Coach Dan Muse Shares Andrei Kuzmenko Update Before Game vs. Blackhawks
Penguins Coach Dan Muse Shares Andrei Kuzmenko Update Before Game vs. Blackhawks originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh . Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Andrei Kuzmenko will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins ' lineup Tuesday night when they face the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Dan Muse confirmed .
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Kuzmenko has been away from game action following the unexpected death of his father in a fishing accident in September. The forward returned to Pittsburgh earlier this month and has been working toward getting back into the lineup.
Muse said the Penguins wanted to get Kuzmenko back into games but also recognized the importance of giving him time to get comfortable on the ice again after the extended absence.
"It was a long stretch off," Muse said. "And so it was now taking a minute there for him to be able to kind of just get on the ice more, some practice time, something he hadn't had."
Kuzmenko has taken advantage of the additional practice time, with Muse noting that the forward has put in strong work since stepping away from game action.
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"He's had some really good practices," Muse said. "He's put in some really good work there since he's been out of the games."
Now, Kuzmenko will have another opportunity to get back into a rhythm as the Penguins begin a four-game road trip against Chicago. Muse said he is excited to see the forward return to the lineup Tuesday night.
