Pens Points: Here We Go Again

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Another season is quickly approaching and that means your daily dose of Pens Points has returned from its summer hibernation. Most of our loyal readers are familiar with our format and what to expect each morning but if you are new to the site consider this a welcome message. Writers Robbie (@rjnaugle2) and Garrett (@GBehanna) will be sharing the Pens Points responsibilities again this season and look forward to interacting with all you. If you have any questions/concerns/links to share with them you can find their respective Twitter accounts above. We are looking forward to a great year and hopefully another Stanley Cup championship. Let’s Go Pens!!!

Now, let’s get down to business...

Fielding their regular NHL lineup for the first time this preseason, the Penguins dispatched the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 on Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena. Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, Justin Schultz, Phil Kessel, and Evgeni Malkin tallied the goals. Antti Niemi played all 60 minutes between the pipes, stopping 38 of 42 Sabres shots. [Pensburgh]

The Penguins wrap up their preseason slate on Saturday afternoon against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.

The departures of Matt Cullen and Nick Bonino over the offseason have left two holes at the center position for the Penguins. Barring any trade, the voids will be filled by any two of Carter Rowney, Greg McKegg, and Jay McClement. [Trib Live]

Training camp and preseason games are a time for coaches to experiment with their lineups to see what works best. Through almost two weeks of camp, winger Carl Hagelin is staking claim to a spot on the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Caught in a political firestorm surrounding their scheduled visit to the White House in October, head coach Mike Sullivan defended the organization’s decision to attend the ceremony to reporters on Wednesday. [Yahoo! Sports]

Even as defending champions for a second straight season, the Penguins still had plenty of questions surrounding the team as training camp opened. With less than a week until opening night, the team has provided some answers. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

In hopes of educating area youth about the dangers of heroin, the Penguins Foundation is teaming up with the FBI Pittsburgh Division and Citizens Academy to support the Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. [Penguins]

Any one who has watched Jake Guentzel since he became at mainstay at the NHL level knows he can put the puck in the net. What may be even more impressive than his scoring touch is what he does without the puck. [The Athletic/PAID]

Adding to their already plentiful fountain of youth, the Penguins signed forward Sam Miletic to a three year, entry level contract. [The Hockey Writers]

News and notes from around the NHL...

After just one meaningless preseason game in front of their home fans, the Vegas Golden Knights are already making an impression on the locals in Sin City. [ESPN]

As a part of the NHL’s ongoing Centennial celebration, the official league website is now offering 100 years of player, team, and game statistics to fans for their viewing/research pleasure. [NHL]

On Wednesday, the NHL Board of Governors approved a new rule change where a team will be penalized for an incorrect offsides challenge. [Yahoo! Sports]