After a three-day break, the Penguins return to action tonight in New Jersey, taking on a Devils team that was eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoff chase with their 5-1 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday.
Before they took off, the Pens put in a vigorous practice and goaltender Stu Skinner was a full participant, which could mean he will be in the net tonight after being struck in the eye while sitting on the bench during Saturday’s win over Florida.
Coach Dan Muse says his less experienced players have stepped right in to the Penguins’ lineup, and they’ve been a part of the playoff push while still developing at the NHL level.
The Penguins have been especially feisty in recent weeks, with Connor Clifton being involved in two fights, and Elmer Soderblom, Connor Dewar, and Parker Wotherspoon also dropping the gloves. Muse says the Penguins stand up for each other.
Anthony Mantha was back at practice after taking a day off due to illness. The resilient forward, who has had a tremendous season after coming to the Pens off two injury-plagued seasons, was named yesterday as the Penguins’ nominee for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Trophy for “perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
The Penguins can clinch their spot in the playoffs with a win tonight in Jersey. They are currently positioned to play the Flyers in the first round. Airtime tonight for the Pens and Devils is 6 o’clock on 92.5 FM U92.
NHL
Penguins legend Ron Francis and the Seattle Kraken yesterday announced a “mutual” parting of ways, effective at the end of the season. Francis was hired as the first general manager of the Kraken in 2019 and moved into his current role as team president last spring. He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins during a 23-year NHL career.
NCAA
The NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Four begins today in Las Vegas with Wisconsin and North Dakota in the first semifinal, followed by Michigan against Denver. Penguins number one draft choice Will Horcoff plays for the Michigan Wolverines.
