2 Justin Schultz D

Schultz worked with the second power-play unit during Thursday's practice, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports.

Schultz's offensive capabilities were among the reasons Washington signed the blueliner to a two-year, $4 million contract in October, and it appears he will get an opportunity to showcase those skills on the power play. With John Carlson firmly entrenched on the first unit, the 30-year-old is better suited as a late-round option in most fantasy formats.

Schultz signed a two-year contract worth $4 million annually with the Capitals on Friday.

After five years with the Penguins, Schultz will find a new home in D.C. The 30-year-old blueliner recorded a career-high 51 points during the 2016-17 season, but he's struggled to stay healthy since then, averaging just 46 games over the last three years. Schultz is still considered a solid defenseman even if he doesn't light up the scoresheet anymore, and he's slated to line up on Washington's second pairing with likely power-play minutes next season.

Schultz posted a power-play helper, two blocked shots and four PIM in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Ducks.

Schultz ended a 21-game point drought with his helper on Jason Zucker's second-period tally. The 29-year-old Schultz also missed 23 games in that span due to injuries. He's been limited to nine points, 42 blocks, 75 shots and a minus-7 rating in 40 outings this year.

Schultz was held off the scoresheet against Los Angeles on Wednesday, his 12th straight game without a point.

Since returning to the lineup, Schultz is averaging 19:01 of ice time, which includes 1:25 with the man advantage, but he still hasn't picked up a point. With John Marino (jaw) sidelined, the team has been forced to rely solely on Kris Letang to provide offensive production from the blue line thanks to Schultz's extended slump. Until Marino is given the green light, Schultz figures to continue running the No. 2 power-play unit, if only for a lack of other viable options.

Schultz (lower body) is slated to suit up versus Pittsburgh on Friday, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

Schultz returns to action following a 16-game stint on the sidelines due to his lower-body injury. The blueliner is set to partner up with Chad Ruhwedel on the third pairing but should get a look with the No. 2 power-play unit as well. Injuries have limited the 29-year-old to just 27 games this year, in which he's tallied eight points and 62 shots while averaging 20:17 of ice time.

Schultz (lower body) has been taken off injured reserve, per the NHL media site.

Schultz practiced with the team in a regular sweater prior to Tuesday's clash with Philadelphia, indicating he is close to returning. With the extra time off thanks to the All-Star break and Pittsburgh's bye week, the Penguins faithful will no doubt be expecting to see the blueliner back in the lineup against the Flyers on Jan. 31. Even if cleared to play, coach Mike Sullivan will almost certainly label the 29-year-old as a game-time decision, though by activating Schultz off IR, the club has removed an additional step in the process already.

Schultz (lower body) will not be in the lineup against Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sam Kasan of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Schultz took part in Monday's practice session in a regular jersey, which led to some speculation he could be available Tuesday. Instead, the club will give the blueliner the All-Star break to fully recovery. Expect coach Mike Sullivan to label Schultz a game-time call if he is ready to play versus the Flyers on Jan. 31.

Schultz (lower body) might be available for Tuesday's matchup with the Flyers, as he told reporters, "I was full out today. We'll see. Obviously, I want to play, but you want to be smart with these things."

Schultz return to the lineup would mean a relegation to the press box for Juuso Riikola or Chad Ruhwedel. Prior to getting hurt, the 29-year-old Schultz notched two goals, six helpers and 62 shots in 27 appearances. Once cleared to play, the blueliner should retake his spot with the No. 2 power-play unit.

Schultz (lower body) skated with Pens' skill coaches Ty Hennes and Matt Cullen on Tuesday, Sam Kasan of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Coach Mike Sullivan didn't provide an update on Schultz's timeline, but the fact that the blueliner was back on the ice and traveling with the team is a step in the right direction. In six games between extended injury absences, the University of Wisconsin product failed to register a point despite logging 18:00 of ice time per game, including 2:03 with the man advantage. Once cleared to play, Schultz figures to bump Juuso Riikola or Chad Ruhwedel back up to the press box.

Schultz is considered week-to-week due to his lower-body injury, Rob Rossi of The Athletic reports.

Schultz suffered an apparent knee injury in his first shift versus Calgary on Tuesday. The blueliner came back out during a stoppage to test out the leg but was unable to give it a go. At minimum, the 29-year-old will be sidelined the remaining two outings of the Penguins' Western Canada road trip. The added time off thanks to the Christmas break could limit the number of games Schultz misses. Juuso Riikola will slot into the defensive pairings with Schultz on the shelf.

Schultz was evaluated for a lower-body injury after Tuesday's game against the Flames.

This provides a little more clarity as to the nature of Schultz's injury, but there was no update on how long the defenseman will be out. Schultz was injured on his first shift of the game.

Schultz (undisclosed) was injured in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Flames and did not return to the bench to start the second, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Schultz attempted to hit Mikael Backlund but came up worse for wear after the play and immediately went to the locker room. The Penguins will likely finish Tuesday's game with five defensemen. Should Schultz miss additional time, Juuso Riikola will probably enter the lineup in his place.

Schultz (undisclosed) was removed from injured reserve Friday ahead of the Pens' clash with Arizona.

Schultz should slot back into the second power-play unit, where he's averaging 3:09 of ice time. Injuries have limited the 29-year-old to just 21 games this year, but he's managed to record eight points in those outings. With the blueliner ready to go, Zach Trotman has been shipped down to the minors and Juuso Riikola figures to be back up in the press box.

Schultz (undisclosed) will be a game-time call versus Arizona on Friday.

Schultz missed the previous seven games due to his undisclosed injury, but he appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. If the blueliner does suit up, he will almost certainly rejoin the power play, where he is averaging 3:09 of ice time and has recorded three of his eight points. If he can avoid any more stints on the sidelines, Schultz should be capable of challenging for the 30-point mark this year.

Schultz (undisclosed) said it's unlikely he'll play Wednesday against the Blues but feels he'll be ready after a few more practices, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.

Schultz has already missed six games but shouldn't be out much longer. The 29-year-old was off to a mediocre start before his injury, posting eight points and 55 shots on net over 21 contests.

Coach Mike Sullivan indicated Thursday that Schultz "is out longer-term with a lower-body injury."

Schultz hasn't produced on the power play as much as he had in previous seasons early in 2019-20, but he does own a respectable eight points (two goals and six assists) through 21 contests. Without him available for the foreseeable future, Chad Ruhwehdel and Zach Trotman are the likely candidates to see additional action, albeit with much less fantasy upside.

Schultz exited Wednesday's practice session early and coach Mike Sullivan wasn't able to provide an update afterwards, Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

It was not immediately clear what may be affecting Schultz, but any absence from the blue line would be bad news for the Penguins who are already without Kris Letang (lower body). If Schultz is unable to play versus the Islanders on Thursday, Chad Ruhwedel would get the opportunity to suit up in his first game this season while John Marino could get bumped up to the top power-play unit.

Schultz scored his second goal of the season in a 3-2 overtime loss to New York on Tuesday.

Through 18 games, the 29-year-old has scored a pair of goals to go along with six assists, for a total of eight points. Schultz appears unlikely to ever duplicate his 51-point campaign from 2016-17, but because of his involvement in Pittsburgh's power-play plans, he remains a serviceable asset in fantasy, especially in deeper formats.

Schultz scored his first goal of the season with three shots on net, plus-2 rating and one hit in a 7-1 victory against the Flyers on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old actually started the scoring in the Penguins blowout win. Schultz isn't on pace to approach his career best 12 goals or 51 points from three seasons ago, but his decent start has him on track to post his best numbers since if he stays healthy. Schultz has one goal and six points with a plus-3 rating in 13 games this season.

Schultz did not record a point in Saturday's 3-0 loss to Vegas. He played 23:03 and finished with a minus-2 rating.

The Penguins' defenseman has five helpers on the year but continues to come up empty in his quest for a goal. Schultz will try to open his goal account Tuesday when Pittsburgh travels to Sunrise, Florida to face the Panthers.