The Penguins don’t play a lot this week. But what a fun week it is anyway.
They have two home games at PPG Paints Arena. They slaughtered the hated Philadelphia Flyers, 7-1, on Tuesday. Now they get Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at 1 p.m. Saturday for a rare midday afternoon game in the fall.
I love it.
TribLive Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh joins me on Thursday’s podcast to talk about both games. Tuesday was a blast because it’s always enjoyable to see Sidney Crosby and company pound the Flyers.
Saturday will be fun because McDavid is in town. Former Penguin James Neal is, too. And he may be getting hot again after scoring against Columbus Wednesday night. The Oilers won there to improve to 9-4-1. Neal is up to 11 goals on the season. That’s one behind Boston’s David Pastrnak and teammate Leon Draisaitl for the NHL lead.
Saturday could also feature Evgeni Malkin’s return after a 10-game absence.
We get into some big picture issues, too. The most pressing is how Malkin could help the power play. It’s only clicking at 16.2%, 22nd in the league. Also, will Malkin buy into the straight-ahead, structurally sound approach preached recently by coach Mike Sullivan?
Line combinations, goaltending and blue line play are all on the table as we go deep into puck talk with Seth.
