Backchecking the Pens: April 11, 2017

UPDATE (8:45 PM)-

**How  special is playing for and winning the Stanley Cup? Watch This

The feeling is indescribable.

The pursuit of the #StanleyCup begins on Wednesday. https://t.co/NU27fTcS1x

— NHL (@NHL) April 11, 2017

UPDATE (5:02 PM)-

**Looks like at least one national writer thinks the Penguins can repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.

Stanley Cup predictions from @USATODAYsports' NHL staff. https://t.co/Z8SqmBG6RQ pic.twitter.com/iK05GDRfrF

— Kevin Allen (@ByKevinAllen) April 11, 2017

UPDATE (4:51 PM)-

#Pens playoff hockey starts tomorrow and the big screen weather looks great…partly cloudy and low 60s at faceoff #LetsGoPens #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dYGFDM42PX

— Jeff Verszyla (@Verz) April 11, 2017

UPDATE (4:53 PM)-

The smell of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey is in the air.

On the eve of Game One, both Columbus and the Penguins held full squad practices before they start what should be a very entertaining series.

Here are some notes from today’s practices: The big news was that Evgeni Malkin was a full participant and will play tomorrow night. The two big names that didn’t skate today were Chris Kunitz and Carl Hagelin.

LINE COMBINATIONS:

COLUMBUS

Saad – Wennberg – Foligno

Jenner – Dubinsky – Atkinson

Hartnell – Gagner _ Bjorkstrand

Calvert- Karlsson – Anderson

Guentzel – Crosby – Sheary

PITTSBURGH

Guentzel – Crosby – Sheary

Rust  – Malkin – Kessel

Wilson – Bonino- Hornqvist

Kuhnhackl – Cullen – Rowney

Dumoulin – Hainsey

Maatta – Daley

Schultz – Streit