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No team has been hit harder this season in the injury department than the Pittsburgh Penguins. One of those big injuries was the broken hand that Paul Martin suffered playing for Team USA in Sochi.
When the Penguins set out to clinch the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday in Winnipeg, Martin will be with them, playing his first game since before the Olympic break. Coach Dan Bylsma confirmed it after the decision was left to Martin.
Martin: "The [doctors] said it was up to me. I said I'm ready. Felt good the last couple days skating. (Playing) is the next step." #Pens
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 3, 2014
Martin's loss combined with that of Kris Letang has left the Penguins a bit thin on the blue line, especially given how much each of those two play. Rookie Olli Maatta has helped to fill the void along with Matt Niskanen. But with the playoffs right around the corner, getting healthy is a big plus for Pittsburgh, especially considering how average the team has been for the past month.
This season Martin has two goals and 10 assists in 33 games while averaging 24:23 of ice time per game.
