Mike Sullivan Reveals why Standout Player was Shockingly Scratched vs Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins fell 4-2 to the New York Islanders Tuesday evening in another tough loss in their attempt to make it to the playoffs after they had previously won four in a row. Their playoff chances now sit at 0, per MoneyPuck.

Today, head coach Mike Sullivan offered some explanation for why Emil Bemstrom didn't see ice time in the game, as it was announced at the time he was going to be a healthy scratch.

Sullivan actually did state that Bemstrom did get scratched from the game due to an illness, but that he wasn't offering anything further information on what the illness is.

There are no updates currently on Bemstrom's health, and Sullivan reported his player's situation as "status quo."

The absence left by Bemstrom, and Thomas Novak (lower body) being out as well, resulted in Joona Koppanen filling in for him in the lineup. Koppanen was brought up on an emergency from the minors on Tuesday morning for depth.

Bemstrom, who appeared in 10 games with the Penguins this year, has one assist, 11 shots, and nine hits with them. Nobody has an idea if he'll get on the ice again shortly or what exactly happened, as the team is being very tight-lipped about it.

The Penguins will likely follow his status nervously as they wait to play their next games in a key segment of the schedule ahead.