Gameday! Penguins Roster vs. Blue Jackets

It’s preseason game day part two and the first Pittsburgh Penguins home game. Several stars including Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Matt Murray will make their preseason debut when the Penguins (0-0-1) host their rival Columbus Blue Jackets (1-0-0) Thursday night, 7 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie Buffalo Monday night but lost 5-4 in OT. Andrew Agozzin, Adam Johnson, Sam Lafferty, and Ryan Haggerty scored for the Penguins. The final three goals were scored in less than eight minutes during the third period. Buffalo top center Jack Eichel beat Tristan Jarry on a breakaway for the win. Penguins goalies Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith made several spectacular saves.

DeSmith stopped 23 of 25 shots and Jarry made 19 saves on 22 shots.

Buffalo dressed several of their top players including Eichel, Jeff Skinner, Conor Sheary and Rasmus Dahlin. They peppered the Penguins with 47 shots. The game was played at the Pegula Ice Center on the Penn State campus which is named for Terry Pegula who owns the Sabres.

Columbus beat Buffalo 4-1 Tuesday night at the Nationwide Arena, though few of the Buffalo top players which beat the Penguins played. Emil Bemstrom, Zac Dalpe, Sonny Milano, and Kole Sherwood scored for Columbus. Presumed starting goaltender Joonas Korpisalo stopped 12 of 12 shots.

Evgeni Malkin with Alex Galchenyuk put on a show during the Penguins intra-squad scrimmages last week. Malkin hopes to have a bounceback year after a disappointing season and offseason trade rumors, which were eventually quelled.

Penguins forwards Dominik Simon, who moved to center in training camp, Sam Poulin, Nathan Legare, and Sam Lafferty also played against Buffalo. Defensemen John Marino and PO Joseph who were paired in practice Wednesday also played against Buffalo on Monday.

Pittsburgh Penguins Roster

Forwards

12 – Simon
13 – Tanev
18 – Galchenyuk
20 – Bjorkqvist
22 – Poulin
24 – Kahun
27 – Bjugstad
34 – Legare
37 – Lafferty
59 – Guentzel
71 – Malkin
72 – Hornqvist

Defensemen:

4 – Schultz
6 – Marino
28 – Pettersson
45 – Gudbranson
55 – Warsofsky
73 – Joseph

Goalies:

30 – Murray
35 – D’Orio