Penguins training camp preview

With training camps set to begin on July 13 as part of Phase 3 of the NHL Return to Play Plan, NHL.com is taking a closer look at each of the 24 teams in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were 40-23-6 (.623 points percentage) in the regular season and will enter the Stanley Cup Qualifiers as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will play the No. 12 seed, the Montreal Canadiens (31-31-9, .500), in one of eight best-of-5 series, and the winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Penguins won at least 40 games for the seventh consecutive season and 13th time since 2005-06, tied with the San Jose Sharks for most during that span, even without playing the final 13 games of this season after it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"In terms of preparation, I would say it's similar to a normal [playoff]," goalie Matt Murray said. "The fact that we've been off for such a long time makes it feel a little bit more like a tournament, maybe. I think it's, again, the best that we can do in the situation. Me, personally, and our team, I know we're really looking forward to the new challenge."

Pittsburgh was first in the Metropolitan Division on Feb. 18 despite injuries to forwards Sidney Crosby (28 games missed), Evgeni Malkin (14) and Jake Guentzel (30). Rookie defenseman John Marino scored 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) averaging 20:15 of ice time, and forward Bryan Rust led the Penguins with an NHL career-high 27 goals. Pittsburgh added depth at forward by trading for Patrick Marleau, Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues on Feb. 24, and for Jason Zucker on Feb. 10.

Player to watch

Zucker scored 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 15 games after he was acquired from the Minnesota Wild. Guentzel's potential return following shoulder surgery Dec. 31 could bump Zucker from the top line to the second line with Malkin and Rust. Zucker scored eight points (four goals, four assists) and was minus-9 in 31 playoff games with the Wild, including no points and a minus-4 rating in the 2018 Western Conference First Round after scoring an NHL career-high 33 goals that regular season.

Biggest question

Who is the starting goalie? Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup winner (2016, 2017), is likely to start when the qualifiers begin, coach Mike Sullivan told The Athletic on June 16, after he was 20-11-5 with a 2.87 goals-against average and an NHL career-worst .899 save percentage this season. Tristan Jarry was 12-2-0 with a 1.78 GAA, a .941 save percentage and three shutouts in 14 games from Nov. 16-Dec. 30, and he started 22 games from Dec. 4-Feb. 26. Murray may be replaced if he struggles early in a short series.

Injury updates

Jake Guentzel, F -- Hopes to be ready for the qualifiers after sustaining shoulder injury Dec. 30 against the Ottawa Senators that required surgery the next day.

Zach Aston-Reese, F -- Recovered from a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the final 12 games. He skated March 11 hoping to return the next night.

Dominik Simon, F --Projected recovery is 6-7 months after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder April 29.

Nick Bjugstad, F -- Had spinal surgery May 26. General manager Jim Rutherford told The Athletic on June 24 that there's a chance Bjugstad could be available toward the end of the postseason if the Penguins make a long run.

Fresh face

Video: PIT@ANA: Zucker snaps home second goal will attend training camp with an opportunity to make the roster after the 19-year-old forward scored 77 points (32 goals, 45 assists) in 46 games for Sherbrooke of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He scored two goals and had six assists Oct. 20 to become the first QMJHL player since Tomas Kubalik (Victoriaville) on Oct. 30, 2009, with eight points in one game. Poulin could provide a spark as an injury replacement or perhaps unseat someone in the bottom six.

Telling stat

Crosby will try to become the seventh NHL player to be captain of one team for at least four Stanley Cup championships. Jean Beliveau won the Cup five times as Canadiens captain. George Armstrong (Toronto Maple Leafs), Maurice Richard (Canadiens), Yvan Cournoyer (Canadiens), Denis Potvin (New York Islanders) and Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) each did so four times.

They said it

"I give the players so much credit for their resilience and resolve and using it as a rallying cry and not an excuse. When a team faces that type of adversity throughout the course of the season, it does one of two things. It either makes you better and helps you grow as a group, or it can destroy a group. Obviously, we feel as though it strengthened the group that we have."-- coach Mike Sullivan

Projected lineup

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Conor Sheary

Jason Zucker -- Evgeni Malkin -- Bryan Rust

Patrick Marleau -- Jared McCann -- Patric Hornqvist

Zach Aston-Reese -- Teddy Blueger -- Brandon Tanev

Kris Letang -- Brian Dumoulin

John Marino -- Marcus Pettersson

Justin Schultz -- Jack Johnson

Matt Murray

Tristan Jarry