Kessel Comeback: Phil Kessel returns to Pittsburgh with 1st-place Coyotes

The “Kessel Comeback” is upon us!

Friday night marks the return of Phil Kessel to PPG Paints Arena. The two-time Penguins Stanley Cup champion takes to Pittsburgh ice for the first time since leaving for the Arizona Coyotes in a summer trade.

Before Thursday night, Kessel had been struggling. The winger has just four goals and 15 points in 29 games with the Coyotes. He had scored just one goal since Nov. 2.

However, against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, he scored two power play goals en route to a 3-1 win.

Putting the Phil in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/fZVJfccGW3

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) December 6, 2019

Overall, the Coyotes are good this year. After the victory in Philadelphia, they have 38 points. That’s good for first place in the Pacific Division.

In our weekly Penguins chat with TribLIVE beat writer Seth Rorabaugh, we look at the game Friday and how Kessel will be received by the crowd. He had a tremendous run in Pittsburgh, but it ended poorly.

I don’t think that’ll matter to the fans. Let’s see what Seth believes.

We also get into some specific Penguins-related matters such as Dominik Simon’s blown scoring chances, the Tristan Jarry-Matt Murray debate, Murray’s looming contractual concerns and how newcomer Stefan Noesen fits on the roster.

LISTEN: Tim Benz, Seth Rorabaugh discuss Phil Kessel's return