Pittsburgh backup Tomas Vokoun is headed to the AHL for a conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Vokoun has been officially out of the Penguins’ lineup since October with a blood-clot issue. The 37-year-old was medically cleared to play in February; now, he’ll get the chance to see some game action.
“We have to see if he can” play in a game, head coach Dan Bylsma said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Rookie Jeff Zatkoff has been backing up starter Marc-Andre Fleury in Vokoun’s absence, with mixed results.
On Saturday, Zatkoff allowed four goals on just 20 shots in a 4-0 loss to Minnesota. His overall numbers are decent, however -- a .911 save percentage and 12-6-1 record.
Could Vokoun be Fleury’s backup for the playoffs? The timing suggests Bylsma would like to find out.
Vokoun, of course, took over for Fleury last postseason, making 11 starts while registering an impressive .933 save percentage.
Bylsma said that in his effort to get back, Vokoun has increased his intensity level in practice & does have some body soreness #Pens
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 8, 2014
Related: Will Vokoun play again? ‘I will try’