The Penguins open a tough two-game road trip tonight in Minnesota, facing their former goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury. The Wild are in second place in the Central Division, and the Penguins will follow up tonight’s game with a game Saturday at first-place Colorado.
Tonight could see the return of Penguins forward Jason Zucker, and could trigger another series of line changes by coach Mike Sullivan. Zucker’s normal spot is on Evgeni Malkin’s wing, but he’s been out since January and Bryan Rust and newly-acquired Rickard Rakell are skating on that line right now.
Coach Mike Sullivan says Zucker is a great weapon to add back into the lineup and he sounds like he will put him back on Malkin’s line, which is where he skated yesterday in practice. Rakell was the third man on Malkin’s line yesterday, switching from his normal left wing to the right side.
Sullivan says he’s looking forward to seeing the Pens with a full complement of forwards, especially with the additions of Zucker and Rakell.
The Penguins fell into third place in the Metro Division with Tuesday’s loss to the Rangers. Rakell says the Penguins are aware of what’s at stake on the road trip.
Rakell says he’s been thrilled to skate with Sidney Crosby and Malkin since he arrived in Pittsburgh from Anaheim two weeks ago.
Defenseman Mark Friedman could also return to the lineup tonight after being a healthy scratch for the last two games and six of the last seven. He took a regular defensive shift at practice yesterday, with Marcus Pettersson skating as the extra defenseman.
Tonight’s game faces off at 8 o’clock. The pregame from Minnesota airs at 7 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel.
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