Monday Pens Points: Ottawa Gameday

It's snowing like crazy here. I was a walking puddle of slush when I made it to work this morning. Anyway, off we go with the news and morning links.

The Pens are back from the western road trip and the priority was on some rest before today's matchup with Ottawa. [PPG]

Season-ending injury to Pascal Dupuis has left a gaping hole on the top line. How will Shero address it? [Molinari - PPG]

Thomas Vanek has turned down the Islanders contract offer. [LI Newsday]

List of top 10 NHL players who could most use a change of scenery. [The Score]

Olli Maatta sits among top scoring rookies in the NHL, but his importance to the top-heavy Pens cannot be overstated. [PPG]

Zach Sill had surgery for a wrist injury that includes tendon damage, and will require 8-10 week recovery. [Truro Daily News]

Zbynek Michalek apparently never asked for a trade from the Penguins. We can all agree he's in a better place regardless. [Chipped Ice]

James Neal is putting in work to hit the net more effectively. [Trib Review]

With the prospect of a Vokoun comeback, three's definitely a crowd in the net. [Pens Initiative]

An excellent article on Malkin and his eager anticipation of Sochi. As we all know, Rossi is working on Geno's authorized bography and has better access than most. [Trib Review]

And an even better article of the expectations and the prospect of rivalry awaiting Crosby and Malkin as they go to Sochi. If you only have time for one article today, this is the one. [Globe & Mail]

Moving on to tonight's matchup against Ottawa. Here's the gameday report. [Penguins official]

Letang is missing from this morning's skate, but it looks like all other healthy #Pens are present.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 3, 2014

We have some good pledges for the game tonight (Cooke vs. Melnyk, anyone?), but could use more more (link to pledge spreadsheet here). Talk tonight on the thread. Let's go Pens!