Pens Points: Turnpike Tussle

For the first time this season, the Penguins and Flyers will renew their rivalry in the “Battle of Pennsylvania” tonight at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins are slowly getting healthier but will still be without some big names when they take the ice tonight. At the other end, the Flyers come in winners of three of four and have rebounded from a rocky start.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on AT&T Sports Network.

Get ready for rivalry night with this morning’s Pens Points...

For the first time since the first week of the season, the Penguins are starting to represent a full strength hockey team. One key missing piece is Evgeni Malkin, but the Penguins Russian bear was wearing a contact jersey at practice with eyes on a return Saturday. [Pensburgh]

With Bryan Rust and Nick Bjugstad already returning to game action and Evgeni Malkin seemingly coming back this week, that leaves only a few guys on the shelf. The good news? Those guys are starting to return to practice as well. [Penguins]

As guys begin returning to the lineup, the Penguins will need to make the appropriate roster moves to open space. Joseph Blandisi and Adam Johnson helped the Pens through a tough stretch, but they are the first heading back to the AHL. [Trib Live]

With Evgeni Malkin back on the ice, we were delivered some potentially troubling off the ice news regarding Geno. Malkin was involved with a Russian cryptocurrency company that appears to be in some hot legal water if reports are correct. [Pensburgh]

Given all the injuries the Penguins have suffered, the October schedule was thankfully not as daunting as it could have been. Their upcoming schedule remains soft before picking up next month. [Pensburgh]

It seems like we have hardly talked about Kris Letang this season, but his play has not gone unnoticed. The veteran blue liner is putting together yet another stellar campaign that should be worthy of Norris Trophy buzz. [Pensburgh]

It’s been a rough stretch for the Penguins power play, going 0-for-11 in their last six games. Although the results are not there at the moment, head coach Mike Sullivan is happy with the process and knows the goals will come. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Noted pest but also great player Brad Marchand was selected as the No. 1 Star of the Week by the NHL. Marchand was joined on the podium by defenseman Roman Josi and goaltender Brian Elliott. [NHL]

Some bad news for the defending Stanley Cup champions. On Monday, the St. Louis Blues announced that All-Star forward Vladimir Tarasenko will miss at least five months after undergoing shoulder surgery. [St. Louis Game Time]