Pens Points: Ottawa Game Day

Good morning and happy Groundhog Day!

The Pens finally get back to the ice to continue the playoff push. Today they host the Ottawa Senators, and a regulation win would go a long way toward creating separation from bubble teams.

Chris Kunitz is expected back in the lineup tonight. No longer a spring chicken, the break came at a perfect juncture for the honey badger. [PPG]

Kyle Turris isn't going to play tonight for the Sens, so Mika Zibanejad will be centering the top line against the Pens. [Ottawa Citizen]

*Is Erik Karlsson deserving of the Hart Trophy? Depends on who you ask, but here are some numbers and charts. [Hockey Graphs]

As far as Sid is concerned, this is the playoffs. Hopefully the rest of the team follows. [Trib]

Sergei Plotnikov isn't gonna see the ice any time soon. A cool waste of a million bucks. [PPG]

As always a good read from Seth Rorabaugh. Do players ever think about the guy they got traded for? [Empty Netters]

A look at the Penguins prospect pool after the first half of the season. It's not very deep but some guys are already here and contributing. [Hockey's Future]

*Gary Bettman was asked about the sale of the Penguins this past weekend. He said all the usual stuff, but didn't elaborate much. Here are some notable things about the Pens TV deal with Root Sports and whether that may have factored into the desire to sell the team. [Forbes]

Connor McDavid is expected to return from a long injury absence tonight. He led all NHL rookies in points when he got injured, and now returns closer to 20th place in rookie scoring. [Edmonton Journal]

Looking back on the All Star game, what worked, what didn't work, and why Gary Bettman thinks people don't boo him much any more. Just you wait, buddy. [Down Goes Brown]

A preview of the most important games to keep an eye on this week. Pens and Bolts on Friday will be a good one. [SI]

Eleven things to keep an eye on during the stretch. Can Sid prolong his tear and where would that allow him to finish at the end of regular season? [The Score]

Someday the John Scott story may be coming to a theater near you. There will definitely be opportunities beyond hockey for the veteran enforcer. [TSN]

Some statistical food for thought: why are one-timers so dangerous and so effective? [NHL Special Teams]

*For the end, a really good hockey story from Mt. Lebanon, and some great vintage pics of JJ68. [Mt. Lebanon Magazine]

*Recommended reads.