The Penguins open the shortened NHL season this afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s the 8th time in their history that the two face each other in their opener, and the first time since 2013.
New Penguins Colton Sceviour, Mark Jankowski, Cody Ceci, and Mike Matheson will make their debuts, but the Pens’ biggest offseason acquisition, Kasperi Kapanen, remains in covid quarantine and will not be in the lineup.
Sidney Crosby has had a quiet training camp, but the Flyers always bring out the best in the Penguins captain, who leads all active players in points against Philadelphia, with 105. Crosby also has the most goals of any active players against the Flyers, 43. Evgeni Malkin is second among active players in points against Philly, with 73, and he’s third in goals, with 28.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the team is ready to play, despite there being no preseason tuneup games.
Sullivan is looking forward to watching Malkin play, injury-free and coming off a big comeback season.
Malkin is gearing up for a run at one more Stanley Cup for the Penguins core group of him, Sidney Crosby, and Kris Letang.
Brandon Tanev will be on one of the third-line wings with Jared McCann and center Mark Jankowski. He says the Pens are anxious to start mixing it up.
Under the NHL’s new format for this season, the Penguins will play only their seven division opponents in the regular season, and there will be plenty of two –game “series” such as their opening two games in Philadelphia. The two teams will square off again on Friday.
Today’s airtime for Penguins hockey is 4:30, with faceoff at 5:30 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel at U92radio.com.
Other games on the season’s opening night include the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Chicago Blackhawks at defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay, Vancouver traveling to Edmonton, and the St. Louis Blues at the Colorado Avalanche.
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