Pens Points: Slow Week Ahead

Stepping onto home ice for the first time this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins took the Chicago Blackhawks out back and laid an old fashioned whooping on visitors in front of a packed PPG Paints Arena. They chased former teammate Marc-Andre Fleury from the game with four first period goals and cruised to an easy victory on Saturday night.

This week present a light schedule for the Penguins with only two games on the docket, giving some players a little extra time to heal up and hopefully return to the lineup sooner rather that later.

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Saturday’s victory came with a handful of milestone moments for various members of the Penguins organization. While most milestones were hit by players, head coach Mike Sullivan became the winningest coach in team history in the victory. [Pensburgh]

It’s no question the Penguins franchise has been truly blessed with talent the last three decades and everyone knows it. This season marks the first time since 2003-04 that the Penguins began a season without future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in action. [Pensburgh]

No longer in need of his services for the time being, the Penguins re-assigned Pierre-Olivier Joseph to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Perhaps this is a sign that Mike Matheson is ready to make his season debut this week. [Penguins]

It’s not just Crosby and Malkin missing from the Penguins lineup early in the season, several other key players are out as well. The latest causality is Bryan Rust who was injured on Thursday and sent to the IR over the weekend. [Trib Live]

With most of the big guns on the shelf at the moment, the Penguins have relied on their depth to get the job done through three games. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

A member of the Penguins for less than a year, Jeff Carter has provided more than just offense since coming over. His veteran presence and leadership has earned him the right to wear an “A” on his sweater to begin the new season. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL...

According to relatives of the late Jimmy Hayes, the former NHL forward had fentanyl in his system at the time of his death. His family is hoping they can help save the lives of others by sharing his story. [ESPN]

After undergoing wrist surgery back in August, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has been slowly recovering and working his way back into the lineup. Matthews is expected to make his season debut tonight against the New York Rangers. [NHL]