Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Chicago Blackhawks in the team’s second preseason game, less than 24 hours after defeating the Detroit Red Wings 3-2.
What we learned last night:
- Evgeni Malkin is really really good. Geno is going to be a force this season. In his first game action since suffering torn ligaments in his leg last February, Malkin was easily the best player on an ice he shared with Red Wing superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Malkin looked like he could do whatever he wanted with the puck out there, and ended up recording a goal and an assist.
I fully expect an MVP-caliber season from Geno this year, certainly until Crosby returns. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up 50 goals, 70 assists and 120 points. He’s at that level right now and it’s awesome.
- 2011 first round pick Joe Morrow is going to be really good some day. Just 18, he was excellent in contributing on the breakout and really showed why the Penguins chose him in the first round despite their current depth at defense. He’s solid.
Tonight, the Penguins will dress an entirely different group of players. Here are those line combos:
Tyler Kennedy - Jordan Staal - Nick Johnson
Eric Tangradi - Mark Letestu - Colin McDonald
Matt Cooke - Zach Sill - Craig Adams
Steve MacIntyre - Bryan Lerg - Keven Veilleux
Brian Strait - Deryk Engelland
Alexandre Picard - Zbynek Michalek
Scott Harrington - Ben Lovejoy
Goaltender Brent Johnson will play the first two periods, while Scott Munroe will play the third.
The Blackhawks are fielding a pretty petty lineup tonight, mostly AHL guys (looking at you, Dan Carcillo). I wouldn’t be surprised to see Engelland and/or MacIntyre drop the gloves tonight.
It’s unfortunate that the Penguins won’t be able to do too much evaluating of their bubble guys tonight (Tangradi, Picard, etc), since they’ll be facing essentially AHL competition.
Notes:
- Steve Sullivan didn’t play last night and he won’t play tonight. Sullivan was pulled from practice the other day with a sore groin, something he’s dealt with for the past few seasons.
- Sidney Crosby had a scheduled day off today after practicing for five consecutive days. Still no symptoms. I don’t want to be the one to say it and then be wrong, but it totally wouldn’t surprise me if contact was integrated into Sid’s practices in the next two weeks.
- Jason Williams was injured in today’s morning skate. He was scheduled to play tonight but will relinquish his spot to McDonald, who led the AHL with 42 goals last season.
- Gibsonia native and second-round pick Brandon Saad will skate for the Blackhawks tonight. For a local native to make his professional debut in the Consol Energy Center against the Penguins must be the rush of a lifetime.
- Ray Emery will be in goal for Chicago. Remember that guy? Yea, I laugh every time I think about him, too.
Game time is 7 PM and will be televised on Root Sports.
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