Ailing Lemieux Sits Out Again

Mario Lemieux’s nagging groin kept him out of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup Saturday night for the fifth time in six games.

Lemieux, the NHL’s leading scorer, was expected to play against the Florida Panthers. He is still listed as day-to-day.

The 37-year-old center played against Boston on Monday, after missing two games, but was on the ice for only six shifts in the first period. He also sat out victories on Wednesday at Carolina and Friday at Tampa Bay.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned forward Mathieu Darche to Syracuse, the second time this month he has been sent back to the American Hockey League. Darche was recalled on Wednesday and went scoreless that night in a 4-3 loss at home to the Mighty Ducks.