Penguins' Zucker helped off ice in 1st game since January

Jason Zucker can't catch a break.

The Pittsburgh Penguins winger had to be helped off the ice Thursday against the Minnesota Wild after crashing awkwardly into the boards. He didn't return.

Hoping Jason Zucker is ok after a nudge from Fiala put him off balance at the boards pic.twitter.com/baocsuRFF1

- CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 1, 2022

The contest was Zucker's return to the lineup after missing 30 games due to a nagging core muscle injury that required surgery. His last appearance - on Jan. 17 - was also his first contest back after a lower-body injury forced him out of seven games.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan couldn't provide a postgame update on Zucker's status.

"I don't have anything for you as far as where we are at," Sullivan said. "He is being evaluated as we speak. I feel for him. He's worked so hard to this point and I knew this game was an important one for him."

The matchup was also Zucker's return to Minnesota after spending parts of nine seasons with the Wild to begin his career. The club honored him with a video tribute:

Welcome back, Jason.#mnwild pic.twitter.com/0LF1TMzxnd

- Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 1, 2022

The 30-year-old recorded an assist on the opening goal Thursday, giving him 14 points in 32 games this campaign.

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