Pens Points: Storm Weathered

After a bad showing come out of the long break on Monday, the Penguins bounced back on Wednesday night with a 4-2 victory over the NHL best Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG Paints Arena. Three goals in the opening period by Riley Sheahan, Phil Kessel, and Sidney Crosby put the Penguins in front early and they never looked back. Kris Letang added a goal of his own in the second period and Matt Murray held down the fort in between the pipes to keep the Lightning offense at bay for most of the night. [Pensburgh]

Stay inside and keep warm with this morning’s Pens Points...

If the Penguins are to win the Stanley Cup this season, there is a very good chance they will have to go through the Tampa Bay Lightning at some point. As it currently stands, the Lightning are the best team in the league by five points with two games in hand over the next closest team. Last night’s game was another measuring stick to see exactly how they stack up among the league’s elites. [Pensburgh]

Expect a lot of trade news in the coming weeks with the NHL trade deadline imminent. Today’s bit of news comes out of Carolina where it appears the Hurricanes are looking to move Michael Ferland sooner rather than later. Reports about the Ferland news also note that the Penguins could be a very big player for his services. [Pensburgh]

Speaking of the Hurricanes, they are in town next Tuesday night for their first trip to PPG Paints Arena this season. If you are headed to the game, drag your best 1980’s attire out of the closet for “80’s Theme Night” at the arena. [Penguins]

Less than a week after making history as the first woman to participate in the NHL Skills Competition at the All-Star Game, Kendall Coyne Schofield will be apart of NBCSN’s team calling the Penguins and Lightning contest on the network. Schofield is hoping to enjoy her broadcast debut after making waves on the ice last week. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

With the best team in hockey in town on Wednesday night, the Penguins would benefit greatly from playing up to their competition against the Lightning. If they can match the level that the Lightning bring to the ice, the Penguins could benefit greatly from a victory to get back on track. [Trib Live]

Previously called up last season for a brief moment, Teddy Blueger is back with the Penguins and on track to make his NHL debut. With the likes of Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and Conor Sheary before him, Blueger is hoping to make Pittsburgh a more permanent destination. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Blueger has been a point scoring machine for the Baby Pens in the AHL this season and his production has caught the eye of head coach Mike Sullivan. His strong play in the minors has earned him a call up and a shot with the big club starting Wednesday night. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Due to the situations of several NHL teams at this point in the season there could be quite a few big names moved on or before the NHL trade deadline in a few weeks. The murky situation in Columbus could also result in a pair of blockbuster trades should it come down to that. [CBS Sports]

Currently, four Canadian clubs sit in playoff position, including the division leaders in both the Central and Pacific divisions. On top of those four, two others it within striking distance of a playoff spot. The race for “Canada’s team” come playoff time is heating up so make sure to keep an eye on our friends up north. [CBC]