Pens Points: On the Road Again

Following short trip back to Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Penguins will head out on a three game road trip this week. The trip begins this evening the New York City where the Pens will face-off against the New York Rangers for the first time this season. Game time is slated for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast locally on AT&T Sports Network.

All signs point to defenseman Ian Cole returning to the lineup tonight in New York following a three game absence. Cole last played on October 7th against the Nashville Predators when he departed early after taking a Roman Josi shot to the face. Cole practiced with the team today sporting a special face guard. [Penguins]

Cole knew he was in trouble right as the puck left Josi’s stick before hitting him square in the jaw. While the injury was gruesome and required extensive dental work, Cole knows it could have been a lot worse. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Getting to and from PPG Paints Arena for a Pens game can be a headache with traffic and parking in downtown Pittsburgh. To make that trek easier, the Penguins are teaming up with ride sharing company Uber to provide a pick up/drop off zone for fans attending games and other events. [Pittsburgh Business Times]

As an added bonus for winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, the NHL scheduled the Penguins for 19 back-to-back games this season, most in the league. These games will account for 46 percent of the schedule this season so their performance in those situations will be a key factor in the standings. Going 0 for 2 on the back end of those games so far, Matt Murray knows he and his teammates need to be better. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

To promote their 50th NHL season a year ago, the Penguins gave away season tickets to one lucky fan. This year, the Pens are going even bigger with their “Penguins Passport” giveaway. The winner will receive 2018-2019 season tickets, $100,000 dollars, and several other prizes making it the biggest promotion in franchise history. [Penguins]

Not off to his best start this season, Evgeni Malkin is hoping his partnership with winger Phil Kessel starts producing like they have in the past. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Originally sidelined with what the team called an eye injury, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl has been placed on injured reserve by the team after suffering concussion symptoms following a collision with Jacob Trouba last week. [The Sporting News]

While in between cancer treatments, Eddie Olczyk plans on returning to the broadcast booth this week to call two games for the Chicago Blackhawks. [The Chicago Tribune]