Pens Points: Shark Warning

Rested and ready to go after the All-Star break, the Penguins return to action this evening at PPG Paints Arena where they welcome the San Jose Sharks to town for their annual visit to the Steel City. The Pens and Sharks faced off less than two weeks ago in San Jose where the Sharks prevailed 2-1.

Game time is set for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on AT&T Sports Network.

With the Pens back in action, catch up the latest news with today’s Pens Points...

After sending him down before the All-Star break, the Penguins recalled forward Jean-Sebastien Dea to the NHL. Dea has made a noticeable impact on the fourth line since being called up, including scoring his first NHL goal last week against the Carolina Hurricanes. [Penguins]

Now that the All-Star game is out of the way, teams will begin to hone their focus in on the NHL Trade Deadline set for Monday, February 26th. There is no doubt the Penguins will be shoppers this year as they make a push for their third consecutive Stanley Cup. Priority No. 1 for general manager Jim Rutherford? A third line center. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Over the weekend, the Calgary Flames placed Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr on waivers. Going unclaimed, Jagr cleared waivers and has been assigned to HC Kladno in Jagr’s home country of the Czech Republic, a move that could signal the end of a legendary career for No. 68. [USA Today]

It may seem like an empty send off for one of the game’s greatest players, but many fans in Pittsburgh can attest to his greatness and the many memories he gave us while wearing the black and gold. [The Hockey News]

Entering the All-Star break with four consecutive starts, it appears the Penguins will be sticking with Casey DeSmith as the second goalie alongside Matt Murray, at least for the time being. DeSmith is 3-1-0 in those four starts and it remains to be seen if it will a fifth straight start when the Pens return to action this evening. [Penguins]

Hatred for the Washington Capitals burns deep in the Penguins’ fanbase but that doesn’t mean the same animosity carries over to the players. Goaltenders Matt Murray and Braden Holtby have developed a strong friendship that remains strong despite the rivalry between their respective teams. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Although he will begin serving a suspension once the league resumes play tonight, Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand still attended the All-Star game and embraced the role of villian during the festivities. [NBC Sports]

The Olympic games get underway next week and with it, a NHL-less Olympic hockey tournament. While the players going may not be household names, there could be quite an underdog story brewing for the USA squad. [Newsday]

There was A LOT of young American skill on display in Tampa Bay this weekend which makes the 2018 Olympics feel like a missed opportunity for Team USA given the talent they could have put on the ice. We can hope the NHL and the IOC work out a deal for the 2022 games so we can see maybe the most talented American generation ever play on an Olympic stage. [Sports Illustrated]