The Penguins take the ice in Sunrise, Florida tonight for the second game of the season, facing the Florida Panthers and hoping to repeat the success of their opening night win on Tuesday in Tampa Bay.
It will be the first time they have faced off with popular long-time former Penguin Patric Hornqvist, who was traded prior to last season to the Panthers for defenseman Mike Matheson and forward Colton Sceviour. Matheson is a key part of the Pens’ blue line, although he will miss his second straight game tonight with an undisclosed illness. After a season in Pittsburgh, Sceviour now plays for Edmonton.
Coach Mike Sullivan called Hornqvist “the ultimate competitor…a warrior” who was a huge part of the Penguins. And he said he’ll be agitating tonight against his former teammates.
The Penguins put in a hard practice yesterday in anticipation of not having a morning skate today. Sidney Crosby was a part of that practice, as were Jake Guentzel and Zach Aston-Reese. Guentzel might be back in the lineup tonight.
Sullivan said Crosby is working very hard to get back from wrist surgery.
The coach said Guentzel and Aston-Reese, who were both out with covid-19, are following different paths back to active status because Guentzel was asymptomatic and Aston-Reese was not.
Guentzel is anxious to return to the lineup. He was impressed by the way his teammates met the challenge of the champion Tampa Bay Lighting on Tuesday
While Aston-Reese could not work out due to being ill, Guentzel spent his time in isolation riding the exercise bike and missing his wife. He also did some more mundane activities.
The Penguins recalled defenseman P.O. Joseph to take Matheson’s place tonight. Forward Anthony Angello was returned to Wilkes Barre-Scranton. With Guentzel back on the top line at practice, Danton Heinen moved from the top line to the third line, with Dominick Simon skating on the fourth line and Drew O’Connor the odd man out, skating as an extra forward.
Faceoff tonight is shortly after 7 o’clock. The pregame begins at 6 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel online.
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