The five games is the max a player can be suspended over a phone hearing. Neal will not be eligible to return until December 19 against the Minnesota Wild. Jayson Megna will skate in Neal's spot next to Evgeni Malkin tonight.
Neal is facing discipline for a deliberate knee to the head of Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Neal's actions led to Shawn Thornton's sucker punch on Brooks Orpik. Neal went out of his way to land the ugly knee, he was given a penalty on the play and will likely be forced to serve a couple game suspension for his actions.
So much for the heads up. Looks like Neal will just be getting acclimated with NHL action tonight skating on the fourth line. Make sure you get him in for next game.
Neal will not play on Saturday and likely won't play on Wednesday vs. the Flyers.
Neal will have to be activated from IR before he can rejoin the Penguins lineup. Neal is questionable for Saturday's contest with the Blues, but monitor his status going forward - he is nearing a return.
Neal has only appeared in the season opener; which he left early. It sounds like he could be back in the Penguins lineup in the next couple games. Monitor his status prior to Saturday (vs. Blues). If he can not go on Saturday, he can next return on Wednesday.
Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said there is no timetable set for Neal's return to practice but he's progressing.
Neal has missed the last 14 games, and remains week-to-week. However Neal's on-ice participation and workouts are expected to increase this week.
Tonight, Neal will miss his 14th consecutive game with an upper-body injury. The Penguins are 9-4-0 without Neal, so they will not rush him back.
Neal missed a 10th consecutive game at Toronto. He has not played or practiced since Oct. 3, when he was injured in the regular-season opener against New Jersey. Neal is on the long-term injury list. That designation requires a player to miss at least 10 games and 24 days, so Neal is not even eligible to play until Monday night at Carolina — though, he will miss that contest, too.
Neal hasn't played since the season opener on October 3rd. He should continue to be considered week-to-week until he rejoins the Penguins at practice.
Neal will not accompany the Penguins to Florida, and coach Dan Bylsma is still listing him as “week-to-week,” though he did say Neal is “a little better.”
He skated just 3:49 in the season opener before leaving and not returning. Beau Bennett will slide up to the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Jussi Jokinen.
Neal was a game-time decision last night but ended up playing. He skated just 3:49 in the season opener before leaving and not returning. The Pens will probably play it safe and keep him out of tomorrow's game since there's 81 games left in the season.
The Penguins game starts at 7PM EST, so we will likely find out during warmups (6:30PM EST) if Neal is in or out.
Joe Vitale replaced Neal in line rushes which suggests Neal could still play vs. the Devils. He has not been ruled out yet, we will await word from the Penguins.
Monitor Neal's status prior to tomorrow's game.
It looks like Neal will be back in tonight after missing Games 2 and 3 with an ankle injury.
This is good news for the Penguins who could get Neal back for Game 4.
This would be another big blow to the Penguins lineup. However it looks like Crosby will be back in tomorrow so I guess they can't have too much talent on the ice! That just wouldn't be fair.
