Matheson (upper body) is considered day-to-day for Saturday's clash with the Islanders, per Pens Inside Scoop.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has been sidelined for eight games due to his upper-body issue but appears to be trending in the right direction. The 26-year-old Quebec native practiced on the second pairing with Cody Ceci on Thursday and would stabilize a Pittsburgh blue line that has been decimated by injuries. In order to suit up, Matheson will need to be first activated off injured reserve.

Matheson (upper body) skated with the team for practice Tuesday, Pens Inside Scoop reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson has been out of action since Jan. 15 against the Flyers, a stretch of eight games. The Pens could use some good news on the blue line, as they currently have five defensemen, including Matheson, on injured reserve not including Kris Letang (lower body). If cleared to play against the Islanders on Saturday, Matheson would almost certainly slot into a top-four spot, perhaps next to John Marino.

Matheson (upper body) joined Pittsburgh for its four-game road trip and took part in Tuesday's optional skate. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters, "The fact that he's on the ice and has made the trip is encouraging. It suggests that he's getting closer to a return to play. His status has not changed."

EDGE Analysis

Based on Sullivan's comments, Matheson won't be available for Tuesday's matchup with Boston and might not play at all considering he is still considered week-to-week. With Juuso Riikola (upper body) and Marcus Pettersson (upper body) both out long term, the club could certainly use Matheson back sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Cody Ceci should see an uptick in minutes while Chad Ruhwedel and rookie Pierre-Olivier Joseph make up the third pairing.

Matheson (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Mike Sullivan said Sunday that Matheson will be out "longer term" but didn't provide the nature of the defenseman's injury. Due to his placement on IR, Matheson will miss at least a week, and it sounds like he'll miss further time, too. Juuso Riikola slotted into the lineup in Matheson's place Sunday and could handle the third-pairing role moving forward.

Head coach Mike Sullivan said Sunday that Matheson is out "longer term" with an upper-body injury, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson was scratched from Sunday's shootout win over the Capitals, and Sullivan revealed the reason for his absence after the game. There's still no clear timeline for the 26-year-old's return. It appears he'll also miss Tuesday's game against the Capitals.

Matheson was traded to Pittsburgh from Flordia, along with Colton Sceviour, in exchange for Patric Hornqvist on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson will provide the organization with some extra depth following the expected departure of Justin Schultz. The blueliner will likely see the bulk of the games next year, though he could face challenges from Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel for regular minutes. The 25-year-old Matheson reached the 20-point mark for the third straight season this year and could get back to challenging for 30 in a full 82-game season.

Matheson has been fined $2,500 for high-sticking the Islanders' Brock Nelson.

EDGE Analysis

Many thought Matheson may face a suspension or at least a fine for his high hit on New York's Johnny Boychuk (undisclosed), who missed Tuesday's Game 2 after exiting Saturday's Game 1 following the hit, but it was his high-sticking of Nelson which ultimately drew the league's attention. The 26-year-old blueliner has gone scoreless while averaging 16:34 of ice time through the first two games of the series.

Matheson could face supplemental discipline after an illegal hit to the head on Islanders' defenseman Johnny Boychuk in the second period of Saturday's game.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson originally received a match penalty, but had it reduced to a minor upon video review. Boychuk did not return to the game.

Matheson (illness) logged 14:29 of ice time while registering one hit and one blocked shot during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Arizona.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson had missed Florida's previous three games with an illness, so it's not exactly surprising that he was quiet in his return to action. The 26-year-old blueliner should continue to see bottom-pairing minutes Thursday against Toronto.

Matheson (illness) isn't expected to suit up in Thursday's game against the Kings, George Richards of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matheson returned to Florida ahead of the team's four-game west-coast trip Tuesday so this news isn't surprising. The 25-year-old has been a steady contributor for the Panthers, accumulating 19 points in 51 games while averaging 18:06 of ice time. Josh Brown will likely continue to draw into the lineup unless Matheson re-joins the team on their road trip.