The Penguins are back in action after a sizable layoff. They haven't played since Saturday night and they should be well rested heading into tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The team has been in California for a few days and should be acclimated to the time change.
Before I get into player personnel for the game tonight there was a trade today
The #Pens have acquired a 2017 fifth-round draft pick from Ottawa in exchange for Mike Condon. Details: https://t.co/O8yhODq8on
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 2, 2016
Mike Condon ended up never starting a game for the Penguins. He was picked off of waivers at no cost and was flipped for a 5th round pick. This can only be described as good asset management. Something for nothing. Fifth round picks don't have a high success rate but outside of the top half of the first round nothing really does. It's an extra lottery ball and that is a good thing.
A three goalie system isn't ideal for the player or the team. Just look at how things are shaking out on Long Island.
Matt Murray will be making his Pittsburgh Penguins season debut tonight.
Kris Letang will be back in the Penguins lineup for the first time since the Montreal game early in the year. It will be the first time all season that Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have played together.
Here is how the defensive lines looked in practice
Penguins defense:
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) November 2, 2016
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Daley
Cole-Schultz
The Dumoulin-Letang pairing was excellent last year so it is no surprise to see it back together again. The Maatta-Daley pairing was terrible early on but has seen some improvement. Justin Schultz has played extremely well with the role he has been given. Ian Cole can now be slotted in the appropriate bottom pairing role where he belongs.
Here is what the matchup looks like
John Gibson will be given the start. He had a 30 save shutout against the punchless Los Angeles Kings last night.
Nick Ritchie was injured and will not play. He had been playing with the Getzlaf-Perry duo. Ritchie was hit by Tom Gilbert and had to go to the quiet room. There were no line rushes today for Anaheim so it is unknown how things will shake out right now. They did call up a couple of players from their AHL affiliate.
NEWS: #NHLDucks recall Michael Sgarbossa, Ondrej Kase from @SDGullsAHL: https://t.co/BxEpTyo2h4 pic.twitter.com/9nzYeiNpTz
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 2, 2016
Hampus Lindholm is still waiting for his work visa to be approved. He will not play against the Penguins this year unless it comes in the Stanley Cup Final.
Lindholm may not be available but Rickard Rakell is. He played his first game of the year against the Kings last night and registered a goal and two assists. Anaheim doesn't have terrific forward depth and getting a player of Rakell's caliber back is a necessary thing for them.
Former Duck and current Penguin Matt Cullen turns 40 years young today.
Biggest mystery in the @penguins locker room is who got Matt Cullen with a birthday shaving cream pie pic.twitter.com/PTWaSRsjZU
— Penguins PR (@PensPRLady) November 2, 2016
Any time there is a Penguins related prank there is a good chance Marc-Andre Fleury is behind it. This time was no exception.
Thanks for reading!