Backchecking the Penguins: September 29

Who is the only player to fight Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin?  Read below. The kids could be in for a show. Mr. Reaves, meet the Columbus Blue Jackets….

The #Pens have distributed 18,000 tickets for Saturday’s Free Game for Kids. Read more: https://t.co/98fTjunKTb pic.twitter.com/a16qUvHfyy

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 28, 2017

-Tomorrow’s game is the free game for kids.  The Penguins have been doing this event since 2010.  They have distributed 18,000 free tickets!  The atmosphere will be energetic with that many young hockey fans at PPG Paints Arena.  The start time has changed to 4 pm.

Know a child (ages 6-12) with top notch high-five skills? Enter him/her to dish out a @Highmark high-five ???? : https://t.co/haobXsdkpi pic.twitter.com/5wgvm6TKrh

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 28, 2017

Torts says Dubinsky will play tomorrow vs Pittsburgh #CBJ

— Alison (@AlisonL) September 29, 2017

-On February 19th, 2015 Sidney Crosby had a rare fight with Brandon Dubinsky.  In fact, Sidney Crosby has had only 9 career fighting majors.  Brandon Dubinsky has often had the ability to irritate Sidney Crosby in the past.  Will we see more of the same?  Will Ryan Reaves presence on the ice help curb this?

-Brandon Dubinsky is the only player to have fought both Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.  Oddly enough Alex Ovechkin has 9 fighting majors in his career as well.

#Pens lines @ prax:
Guentzel-Crosby-Sheary
Wilson-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-McKegg-Rust
Kuhnhackl-Rowney-Reaves
McClement/Archibald extra fwds

— Josh Getzoff (@PensJG) September 29, 2017

#Pens defensive pairings at practice:
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Cole
Pouliot-Ruhwedel

— Josh Getzoff (@PensJG) September 29, 2017

-Forward Lines at practice.  There is still some minor juggling of lines in this preseason game.  They are close to what should be the starting lines of the regular season.  Wilson has notably been moving up and down the lines.

-Defensive pairings are very close to being set for the regular season.

#Pens are skating for a second straight day at #UPMC66. Hornqvist is the only player absent. -MC

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 29, 2017

-Hornqvist is the only notable player not at practice.  The Penguins are still hoping that he will be available for the first game of the regular season. The crazy Viking had offseason hand surgery. Perhaps from banking too many pucks off Pekka Rinne?