CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel returned to practice on Tuesday, a week after the 19-year-old fainted on the team's flight back from Utah.
Kindel called what general manager Kyle Dubas described as a vasovagal episode “an interesting experience."
The team's plane had just left Salt Lake City on Oct. 20 when Kindel lost consciousness. He was tended to on the flight by the club's medical personnel and spent the night in a Salt Lake City hospital for observation before being cleared to return to Pittsburgh the following day.
The club placed Kindel on injured reserve, but Kindel is optimistic he will be back soon. Pittsburgh is off until Thursday, when it hosts Utah.
“Obviously a couple weird days,” Kindel said. "Feels normal now just being back with the guys. Excited now for the rest of the year.”
Penguins coach Dan Muse said the team will take it one day at a time before determining Kindel's status, but added he thought Kindel looked good while playing alongside Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakov on the second line.
Kindel underwent additional testing upon his return to Pittsburgh but was cleared to start doing some conditioning over the weekend, stressing he is eager to move on and get back to work.
“For me it’s in the past now,” said Kindel, who has two goals and two assists in four games. “It’s out of my head. Can’t control what happened. Just got to move forward. That’s where my head’s at.”
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said it was “awesome” to have Kindel at practice, calling it a “great sign.”
“I’m pretty sure that things are progressing well if he’s back out with us,” Crosby said.
Pittsburgh has won two straight since returning from a winless four-game road trip.
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FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel plays in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Oct. 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
CHICAGO (AP) — Wyatt Kaiser snapped a third-period tie, Spencer Knight made 25 saves and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Chicago stopped a three-game slide while improving to 3-4-0 on a seven-game homestand. Roman Kantserov scored in the second, and the Blackhawks killed off a double-minor penalty on defenseman Sam Rinzel for high-sticking.
Kaiser picked up his first goal of the season at 7:17, beating Anton Forsberg through the goaltender's legs with a well-placed shot from the left circle. It was the 11th goal for the defenseman in 187 career games.
Samuel Helenius scored for Los Angeles in the finale of a 3-2-0 trip. Forsberg stopped 25 shots.
Kings captain Drew Doughty and forward Corey Perry were scratched after they played in Monday night’s 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers.
The Blackhawks played without defenseman Bowen Byram, who missed his fifth consecutive game with an upper-body injury.
Los Angeles got off to a fast start. Jared Wright's shot trickled past Knight, and Helenius poked it home at 2:31 for his first goal of the season.
The Kings carried their 1-0 lead deep into the second period. But Joel Armia was whistled for tripping at 14:26 and interference at 16:29, and Connor Bedard set up Kantserov for the rookie's team-high fifth goal at 16:40.
The Blackhawks are 4 for 39 (10.3%) on the power play in 12 games. They converted 16.9% of their chances last season, ranking 29th in the NHL.
Both teams play on Thursday night. The Kings host the Ottawa Senators, and the Blackhawks visit the Detroit Red Wings.
See AP’s full NHL coverage here
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) attempts to make a save against the Chicago Blackhawks as defenseman Brian Dumoulin (2) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) attempts to shoot against Los Angeles Kings left wing Andre Lee (47) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, left, and Los Angeles Kings center Scott Laughton (21) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Roman Kantserov (80) celebrates a goal teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
