![\"NHL:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NHL-Columbus-Blue-Jackets-at-Pittsburgh-Penguins-27512489.jpg\")
Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
After a day off, the Pittsburgh Penguins returned to practice Wednesday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, minus a couple players \u2014 but also plus a couple.<\/p>\n
Forwards Anthony Mantha (maintenance day) and Joona Koppanen (illness) did not practice. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, injured forwards Justin Brazeau and Noel Acciari participated in regular jerseys, with coach Dan Muse confirming they have been cleared to be involved in contact and will travel with the team for games Thursday in Tampa and Sunday in Dallas. Brazeau has missed 13 games, Acciari, 11. Both have upper-body injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was a big step for them,\u201d Muse said. \u201cBoth guys looked good. So they\u2019re getting close. \u2026 Don\u2019t think they\u2019ll be (in) tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injured forward Rickard Rakell (wrist surgery) skated before the team, and he was doing some moves with both hands on his stick.<\/p>\n
While the team did not do conventional line rushes, Brazeau participated on the second power play, and Acciari worked as a penalty killer. Brazeau, in his first season with the Penguins, has six goals in 12 games and seemed to be settling in well on the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin before he got hurt. Acciari, who has three assists, has been a key member of the fourth line and with the penalty killers.<\/p>\n
Despite being in a stretch of three road games, the Penguins opted to come home after Monday\u2019s game at Philadelphia. They will fly to Tampa later Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The practice Wednesday was spirited, including a three-on-three, short-rink scrimmage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys had good jump,\u201d Muse said. \u201cGood energy. They came ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: justin brazeau<\/a> noel acciari<\/a> Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> Shelly Anderson<\/a> <\/p>\n