Pens Bjugstad Has Spinal Surgery

PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will head into whatever becomes of the NHL postseason without forward Nick Bjugstad. The team says Bjugstad underwent spinal surgery to repair a herniated disk. General manager Jim Rutherford said the surgery was necessary after Bjugstad had a “setback” while recovering from a lower-body injury suffered just before the NHL went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Bjugstad is out, All-Star forward Jake Guentzel is on schedule to return from a shoulder injury when the NHL resumes at some point this summer.