Pittsburgh currently has 20 men in Edmonton: 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. The team is weighing its options on whether or not to recall a player from their top minor-league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
"We've had a short discussion before we went on the ice (with practice)," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "I'm sure I'll continue that discussion with (general manager) Jim (Rutherford)."
The Penguins used the following workflow…
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese - McCann-Kahun
Simon-Blueger-Tanev
Galchenyuk-Blandisi-Lafferty
Johnson-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Riikola-Ruhwedel
\Being in Edmonton is sort of homecoming for Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, who played four seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League from 2011-15. In that time, Jarry led the club to a WHL championship and Memorial Cup title in 2014.
"I loved my time playing here," he said. "I was very fortunate to be drafted by the Oil Kings and finish my WHL career with the Oil Kings. So, it was great. I had a lot of fun here.
"We were able to win a couple championships and got to the Memorial Cup a couple times. It made hockey very enjoyable. The fans were great here. They supported us the whole way through."
\Rookie defenseman John Marino scored his fourth goal of the season against the Flames. Coach Sullivan noted after the game how Marino's offensive game is picking up.
"His game is evolving," Sullivan said. "When he first came in, he was a steady, stay-at-home defenseman. He's always shown an ability to have poise with the puck. He helps us get out of our end. He doesn't throw it away. He can make plays under pressure. Now he's doing it in the offensive zone as well.
"I think John is getting more and more confident with every game that he plays, as he should, because he's a real good hockey player."
Marino agreed with that sentiment.
"You just take what the game gives you," Marino said. "Sometimes there's more opportunities in games and sometimes there's not. You get a little more comfortable with each game."
*Marino and the rest of the Penguins defense will be tested by Edmonton's high-powered offense, led by Connor McDavid (59 points) and Leon Draisaitl (58). They currently rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the NHL scoring race.
"(McDavid) is one of the best players in the league," Marino said. "You have to be aware when he's out there. It'll definitely be a challenge for us, but we're up to it."
