Pens Points: Warm Welcome Back

Playing in front of their own fans for the first time in nearly a year, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 for the first victory over the in-state rivals this season. Kasperi Kapanen recorded his first multi-goal game in a Penguins uniform and Tristan Jarry turned in an outstanding performance to help the Penguins begin their homestand with a crucial victory despite missing captain Sidney Crosby. [Pensburgh]

Pens Points is here with all the news from a busy Tuesday...

Facing down a trio of games against their fiercest rival, the Penguins were hoping to be at full strength for the gauntlet. That all changed on Tuesday morning when it was announced that Sidney Crosby has been placed into the NHL’s COVID protocol. [Pensburgh]

With Crosby out of the lineup for at least one game and maybe more, the Penguins will need others to step up and produce. No player can do more to bandage over the loss of Crosby than his superstar counterpart Evgeni Malkin. [Pensburgh]

In an ironic twist of events, less than 24 hours after news broke that fans can return to PPG Paints Arena we learned that Sidney Crosby will not be there to entertain them. Tuesday’s news was a reminder that we are not out of the forest quite yet. [The Athletic $$]

No Crosby at their disposal means the Penguins have roster spots to fill. That’s where the taxi squad comes into play. Forwards Josh Currie and Drew O’Connor were recalled in place of forward Frederick Gaudreau and defenseman P.O. Joseph. [Penguins]

Tomorrow, Thursday, March 4th, marks the anniversary of the famous Ron Francis trade that transformed the Penguins franchise. Thirty years and five Stanley Cups later, it remains a pivotal moment in making the franchise what it is today. [Trib Live]

The Penguins opened the season against the cross-state rival Flyers, but since those two games back in mid-January, the teams have become strangers. In that time, both sides look a bit different than they did all those weeks ago. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Anytime the Penguins and Flyers face-off there is the potential for major fireworks. That shouldn’t change this time around, and the fact that they are playing three times in a row just adds to the combustibility factor. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

We know Sidney Crosby is on the NHL COVID list, but he’s not alone. Joining Crosby are Tomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks and Ryan Johansen of the Nashville Predators. Other teams are listed as TBA so keep an eye on who may be added. [TSN]

Patrick Kane, David Pastrnak, Auston Matthews, and Logan Couture put on quite a display in February and were honored for their efforts. All four were awarded ‘Star of the Month’ honors for their respective divisions. [NHL]