Penguins, worried about Ben Kindel’s condition, face off with Panthers

The Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to face the Florida Panthers on Thursday following a medical scare involving forward Ben Kindel. The 19-year-old experienced an episode on the team flight departing Salt Lake City on Tuesday, forcing the plane to turn back so he could be evaluated at the University of Utah Hospital. Penguins coach Dan Muse reported on Wednesday that Kindel is doing better, though the team canceled Wednesday's practice ahead of their homestand.

Pittsburgh enters the matchup on a 1-6-1 slide following a 5-4 loss in Utah, where Bryan Rust exited with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Florida visits after a 5-1 defeat to Ottawa, with goaltender Cooper Black potentially set to make his NHL debut. At 6-foot-8, Black would become the tallest starting goaltender in NHL history.