Pens Roster for Tonight
Goalies: Thomas Greiss and Jeff Zatkoff
Defensemen: Scott Harrington, Paul Martin, Brian Dumoulin, Christian Ehrhoff, Taylor Chorney and Kris Letang.
Forwards: Pascal Dupuis, Daniel Carcillo, Nick Spaling, Chris Kunitz, Steve Downie, Andrew Ebbett, Craig Adams, Zach Sill, Kasperi Kapanen, Oskar Sundqvist and Patric Hornqvist.
Crosby OUt, Dupuis Set to Debut
Despite losing Sid, the Pens will see Pascal Dupuis return to the ice tonight. The fan favorite "Super Duper" will hit the ice in a game for the first time since tearing his ACL/MCL against Ottawa on December 23, 2013. Dupuis will likely be with Crosby and Kunitz as usual, but be on the watch out to see Dupuis spend some time with Hornqvist so Kapanen can get some time with Crosby.
News and Notes from In The Room
- Travel logistics will keep Crosby out of the lineup tonight.
- Evgeni Malkin, once again, did not skate and has not skated. Injury/status still unknown.
- Thomas Greiss will start the game tonight in Minnesota. Jeff Zatkoff will take his place mid-way through the second.
- Marc-Andre Fleury will start the preseason finale in Detroit.
- Robert Bortuzzo will miss roughly a month with that lower-body injury (knee).
- Derrick Pouliot is in Wilkes-Barre skating, but it will be another month before he is cleared for contact.
- Olli Maatta still has not been cleared to play, but will practice "full-boar" tomorrow in Detroit with the team.
- Pascal Dupuis will make his debut and see time on the PK, but Johnston stated that his minutes will be watched.
My 3 Players to Watch Tonight
2. Oskar Sundqvist: It is likely that Kapanen makes the Pens opening night roster, but the way Sundqvist has played and handled himself this preseason, I think he deserves a chance as well. He has a goal and assist thus far this year, and if he can have big games tonight and maybe Wednesday in Detroit it will be incredibly difficult to force Johnston to send him to Wilkes-Barre or back to Sweden.
3. Dan Carcillo: Carcillo will make his preseason and Penguin debut tonight. A lingering foot injury has held out the rugged winger from most practices and all the preseason games thus far. Remember, Carcillo does not have a contract and will need to be lights out in these final two contests to take a roster spot away from someone else in my opinion.
Samuelsson and PL3 Reassigned
A surprising move in my eyes when it comes to Samuelsson. Granted, he hasn't had a stellar camp but he is a solid defensive-defenseman. At the very least, he would have served as a backup - the 23rd man - on the roster and possibly taking a full position next season. I find it surprising that they make this move with Samuelsson, but perhaps they feel the likes of Harrington, Pouliot and Dumoulin are more suited for the Pens than Ulf's boy.
The Pens roster is now down to 32 players - 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and 3 goalies.
How to Listen and Where to Watch
- The game will be televised on ROOT Sports. Pregame coverage begins at 7:30pm with puck drop at 8pm.
- The Pens Radion Network online and at the X (105.9) will have game coverage. I would guess Steve Kolbe will be on the call with Phil Bourque for these final two preseason games.
To get into the spirit of ROOT Sports coverage, here is the best "Thanks Daaaaaaan's" from Pascal Dupuis and everyones favorite reporter, "DJ PO" Dan Potash.