The Pens got their first win of the preseason last night and they are on the ice again at Consol Energy Center today. Here is everything you need to know about the Pens the last 36 hours.
Elvis Has Just Left the Building
Simon Despres, who is vying for a starting spot on the blue line, had two assists and knocked out Zucker in a 2nd period bout. His counterpart in attempting to stay in the starting six, Robert Bortuzzo, had a solid game until he suffered a knee-to-knee hit in the 3rd period. He did not return to the game.
Jeff Zatkoff was in net for the Penguins. Last season's back up goalie is in a vicious fight with Thomas Greiss to be the back up to Marc-Andre Fleury. Zatkoff stopped 18 of 20 shots last night.
Prospect Oskar Sundqvist netted the Pens other goal last night in the 3-2 victory. Drafted in the 3rd round in 2012, the Swede has played lights out amongst the prospects in camp. There is a very good chance he could make a run at a roster spot and be here come October 9th.
The Pens will play their last preseason home game on Saturday. Saturday's game is the annual "Free Game for Kids." Puck drops at 4:00pm.
Today's Skating Groups
Group 1 Goalies: 1 - Thomas Greiss 29 - Marc-Andre Fleury Defensemen: 3 - Olli Maatta 4 - Rob Scuderi 6 - Scott Harrington 7 - Paul Martin 10 - Christian Ehrhoff 41 - Robert Bortuzzo 47 - Simon Despres 55 - Philip Samuelsson 58 - Kris Letang Forwards: 9 - Pascal Dupuis 13 - Nick Spaling 14 - Chris Kunitz 16 - Brandon Sutter 17 - Blake Comeau 19 - Beau Bennett 23 - Steve Downie 27 - Craig Adams 38 - Zach Sill 42 - Kasperi Kapanen 57 - Marcel Goc 72 - Patric Hornqvist 87 - Sidney Crosby | Group 2 Goalies: 37 - Jeff Zatkoff Defensemen: 8 - Brian Dumoulin 33 - Reid McNeill 44 - Taylor Chorney Forwards: 12 - Daniel Carcillo 25 - Andrew Ebbett 32 - Pierre-Luc Leblond 34 - Bobby Farnham 46 - Dominik Uher 49 - Oskar Sundqvist 59 - Jayson Megna |
Group 1 Pairs/Lines/Special Teams
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
- Beau Bennett - Brandon Sutter - Patric Hornqvist
- Nick Spaling - Marcel Goc - Steve Downie
- Zach Sill - Craig Adams - Blake Comeau
- Kasperi Kapanen was the extra forward
The following were the D-Paris:
- Kris Letang - Christian Ehrhoff
- Paul Martin - Olli Maatta
- Rob Scuderi - Scott Harrington
- Simon Despres - Philip Samuelsson
Power-Play Groups:
- Kris Letang - Christian Ehrhoff, Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Paul Martin - Olli Maatta, Beau Bennett - Brandon Sutter - Pascal Dupuis
Penalty Kill Groups:
- Marcel Goc - Craig Adams, Rob Scuderi - Scott Harrington
- Blake Comeau - Nick Spaling, Simon Despres - Philip Samuelsson
Additional Info:
- Evgeni Malkin did NOT skate again. Still no word on what the nature of the injury is but Mike Johnston did state Malkin is expected to begin skating in 4-5 days.
- Robert Bortuzzo did NOT skate today either. He left last night's game in the 3rd period with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day at this point.
- Pascal Dupuis skated today and is no longer wearing the red, no-contact jersey. He will NOT play tomorrow v. Columbus however.
Bennett Goes Down with Another Injury
The injury is just another in a long list for the young winger. Bennett suffered a serious knee injury during his collegiate career at Denver and over the past few seasons with the Pens has suffered from several serious wrist injuries. He has played lights out during camp and any long-term injury would be detrimental to the Penguins.
Coach Mike Johnston stated after practice that the injury is not as bad as it looked at the time, but no other update was given on the young winger.