Pens Points: Back to the Road

Hope you enjoyed Tuesday night’s home game because it is right back to the road for the Penguins this weekend. Following a second straight day off today, the Pens head to Washington on Friday night for a second meeting with the Capitals then jet off to Nashville for a Stanley Cup rematch with the Predators on Saturday evening.

Now presenting, your Thursday edition of Pens Points...

Since returning to game action this season following a long recovery from neck surgery, it has been anything but smooth sailing so far for Kris Letang. Though his play has not been up to par to this point, there is no reason for the Penguins to panic. [Fan Rag Sports]

When the Penguins traded for Riley Sheahan last month it was seen as a low cost move that could help solidify a struggling bottom six. So far, the move seems to be panning out for the Pens as Sheahan has been having a positive effect on the ice. [Pensburgh]

Continuing with Sheahan, he has been a Penguin for 17 days but over half of that time he has been on the road thanks to an extended road trip. Still searching for a place to live, he’s hoping once he gets settled the points on the ice will start coming as well. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

If you tuned in to the game on Tuesday night against the Coyotes you saw the Pens host their annual “Hockey Fights Cancer” night. The purple warm up jerseys are being auctioned off with proceeds going to the fight against cancer. [Pensburgh]

Along with raising money to fight cancer, the Penguins also hosted Darran Dunlap for the evening’s events. Darran is the daughter of Pittsburgh radio host Colin Dunlap. A year ago, Darran was diagnosed with cancer and her father has been very open on social media about her fight. [Penguins]

The arrival of highly touted prospect Daniel Sprong seems like it could happen at any moment and even more so when you look at the struggles the Penguins’ offense has endured at time this season. Don’t hold your breath however, the Penguins front office is hoping for Sprong to develop other areas of his game before he gets to call back to the NHL. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

After skipping out on the 2018 Winter Olympics it appears the NHL has every intention of going back when the 2022 games are held in Beijing, China. With over four years still to go, the league is focusing on growing their product in the country. [NBC Sports]

We aren’t even a quarter of the way into the 2017-2018 season but it appears a clear frontrunner has emerged for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. [The Hockey News]