The Calgary Flames will be making their lone trip to Pittsburgh this season when they visit the Penguins this evening. Not much has changed on the available players front. Sidney Crosby will be missing yet another game as he continues to make progress towards his return

Sidney Crosby won’t play tonight versus the #Flames.

I’m here at the rink in Pittsburgh and he just left the ice not long ago. Took part in extra drills after optional morning skate.

— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) October 28, 2021

Here is what Mike Sullivan had to say about his progress

The timeline on how we deal with Sid I think we'll keep internally. That's something where we make decisions with our medical staff on a daily basis at this point. We're at that stage where Sid is really getting closer and closer. We consult with our medical staff throughout the course of each day and first thing in the morning after an overnight, and we get feedback from those guys. A lot of it, quite honestly, is based on Sid's feedback as well on where he's at. We're trying to make sure we put Sid in the best possible position to be successful, and so we make those decisions daily

Here is how the lines shook out yesterday with Crosby participating in full drills

Penguins' lines/pairings at practice:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rodrigues
Zucker-O'Connor-Kapanen
ZAR-Blueger-McGinn
Simon-Boyle-Lafferty
(Heinen rotating in both wings on fourth line)

Dumoulin-Marino
Matheson-Ruhwedel
Pettersson-Friedman
(Riikola rotating in third pairing)

— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) October 27, 2021

So it looks like Evan Rodrigues’ strong play to start the season has yielded some more quality opportunities. It appears Drew O’Connor will continue what appears to be a placeholder like role for Evgeni Malkin’s wingers. He’s earned this look as well. Sam Lafferty should not be anywhere near this lineup even with the injuries. He just isn’t good enough. Perhaps a weekend with Uncle Daniel at the links would be best. Danton Heinen shouldn't have to share line rushes with him.

Jeff Carter will not be back for this evening’s game, but it sounds like he is just around the corner from returning.

Coach Sullivan on Jeff Carter: "Don’t hold me to this, but I’m fairly confident he comes out of the (COVID) protocol tomorrow. I believe that’s Day 10. So I’m fairly certain that Carts will join us tomorrow." The Penguins practice at #UPMC66 on Friday.

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) October 28, 2021

Kris Letang is keeping up with the spirit of Halloween as he ghosted Mike Sullivan

Coach Sullivan on Kris Letang, who is in the COVID protocol: "Tanger is still symptomatic. He's working through it." Added with a laugh, "I called him yesterday, but he didn't call him back. I hope to reach out to him today and connect."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) October 28, 2021

Lastly, Casey Desmith will be getting the start for the Penguins. His new mask was designed by Teddy Blueger of all people because Blueger teased him about his basic mask.

Blueger on designing DeSmith’s goalie helmet: "I think it actually turned out pretty good, for the most part. The back of it's hilarious.” https://t.co/97yqAi3W2F

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 27, 2021

****

The Chicago Blackhawks and the individuals involved in harming and covering up what happened to Kyle Beach are deplorable. They have no place in the NHL and they certainly aren’t proper members of society, either. It is an indictment of hockey culture and just how much people are willing to let go all in the sake of “winning”. The 2009-10 Blackhawks are not winners. They are the lowest of the low.

I grew up playing hockey and it formed who I am, but some of that I have had to course correct because it was vile. When you're younger you are vulnerable to the buy in of everything hockey culture. I love the sport, but am consistently left embarrassed by it. Hockey is all about culture culture culture, but it is just an empty platitude. The actions have always spoken louder than words.

Thanks for reading!

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