Rookie defenseman John Marino returned to the lineup Tuesday when the Penguins hosted the Senators in Pittsburgh. He had missed a month due to facial surgery.
Marino was joined in his return by fellow defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who had been sidelined since Nov. 30 with an ankle injury, as the Penguins looked to shed their season-long six-game losing streak.
During the third period of a 4-2 loss at Tampa Bay on Feb. 6, Marino fell to the ice after a deflected Steven Stamkos slap shot landed on his cheek, just to the side of his helmet. Trainers rushed to his side, and he skated off after a few minutes with a towel pressed to his face. He had surgery to repair facial bone fractures. The procedure, conducted by Dr. Mark Ochs, was done Feb. 10 at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Mercy.
Marino, 22, has been a steadying force on the blue line as the Penguins have battled injuries. He had played in 51 games entering Tuesday, with five goals and 25 points, averaging 20:19 minutes. At the time of his injury, his point total was eighth among rookies, and his average time on ice was third.
Dumoulin, 28, had one goal and seven points in 23 games entering Tuesday.