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Report: Penguins might make rookie Maatta a healthy scratch

Pittsburgh Penguins v Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Olli Maatta #3 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on October 26, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Claus Andersen

Olli Maatta, the 19-year-old rookie defenseman of the Pittsburgh Penguins, might be spectator on Tuesday as a healthy scratch, while his team faces the New Jersey Devils.

That’s according to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Tuesday morning. Maatta, the club’s first-round pick, 22nd overall, in 2012 has played well in his first season with the Penguins but has gone through a rough patch of late, going a combined minus-three in his last three games.

“All those things are considerations,” said Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma, according to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

“His play maybe hasn’t been as strong in the past couple (of games). When his play is good, he’s been worked with and coached and looked at video. That’s certainly going to happen during this stretch as well.”

The Penguins are running away with the Metropolitan Division, currently with a record of 29-11-1. Their 59 points is 14 ahead of the second-place Washington Capitals.

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