Pens Points: Big Test Awaits

Penguins get an extra day off from their mini-road trip west before the red hot Colorado Avalanche roll into town on Wednesday night. Nothing in terms of practice on Monday for the team as players took the day to recoup from the trip. Everything will restart on Tuesday when the team reconvenes.

Get your morning started with a fresh helping of Pens Points...

Trade rumors continue to surround the Penguins as they search for a place unload some a defensemen or two. Both Erik Gudbranson and Jack Johnson have been healthy scratches recently so it could be only a matter of time until one heads out. [Pensburgh]

Every Monday, the NHL releases it’s “Three Stars of the Week” winners, recognizing the top performers from the week that was. This week, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby takes home third star honors for his seven point effort in four games. [Pensburgh]

If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts and insights on the Penguins and hockey, consider signing up for the SB Nation FanPulse where you can give your input on different questions and see how others feel as well. [Pensburgh]

There are dedicated Penguins fans, then there are diehard Penguins fans who wake up at 3 AM local time to watch their favorite team play. Fatima Kissimova of Kazakhstan falls into the latter category and she traveled over 6,000 miles to see them in September. [Penguins]

Sidney Crosby’s “Learn to Play” program is paying dividends in the local region. The Johnstown Warriors hockey program fielded their first all girls teams this season, with every player coming through the “Learn to Play” program. [Penguins]

After his three goal performance this weekend, Sam Lafferty might be more than just an injury call up for the Penguins. Once everyone is healthy, the team will have decisions to make, and Lafferty is doing his part to make a statement. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Brandon Tanev only has three points in six games, but he does lead the team in one very important area, penalties drawn. With five in five games, Tanev’s ability to draw calls is already paying off for his new team. [Trib Live]

There was more that a little bit of good to take away from the Penguins drubbing of the WInnipeg Jets on Sunday evening. From bouncing back from an early deficit to seeing the depth carry the load, it was a dominating display. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL...

In some injury news that doesn’t involve the Penguins for once, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is out upwards of three months after cracking his fibula blocking a shot. [NHL]

Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Victor Olofsson set an unusual record on Monday against the Dallas Stars. Olofsson became the first player in NHL history to score his first seven career goals all on the power play. [USA Today]

Last year, Jordan Binnington was perhaps the story of the season, coming from relative obscurity to lead the St. Louis Blue to the Stanley Cup. Now a known commodity, Binnington is out to prove it was more than a fluke. [ESPN]