The Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1-1) are winless in their first two preseason games, but the outcomes have mattered far less than the performances within the game of the prospects and second-chance players battling for a roster spot. Friday is the first Penguins ‘ preseason home game as they host the Detroit Red Wings.
The puck drops just after 7 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins’ lineup on Friday is short on NHL regulars. Only Tommy Novak, Philip Tomasino, Blake Lizotte, and Connor Dewar were NHL regulars. Tomasino and Dewar are in a battle to remain in the NHL.
Aidan McDonough had a markedly good game with several shots on goal on Wednesday in Columbus and will once again be in the lineup. McDonough, 25, is on an AHL contract, so he’s not necessarily a threat to make the NHL roster, but he has been noticeable in training camp.
Last season, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound LW had 16 points in 16 games with the Charlotte Checkers before a season-ending injury.
Filip Hallander, Robby Fabbri, and Sam Poulin are the other notables in the lineup. Fabbri is on a professional tryout agreement after suffering a season-ending injury in Anaheim last season, after only 44 games. He, too, has shown well.
Defenseman Connor Clifton is in for his third straight game. Pittsburgh Hockey Now has graded Clifton very well in each of the first two preseason games and noted his physicality.
The Penguins acquired Clifton from the Buffalo Sabres along with a second-round pick for defenseman Conor Timmins.
The game will also likely feature the first preseason action for Tristan Jarry. Arturs Silovs, who played on Wednesday with mixed results, is the other goalie.
Penguins transactions: Returned Quinn Beauchesne to juniors (Guelph Storm).
Rutger McGroarty (upper body, no timeline).
Joel Blomqvist (day to day).
Noel Acciari (core muscle, likely out another week).
Kevin Hayes (upper body, out month to month).
Tanner Howe (ACL surgery, rehabbing, no timeline).
Peyton Kettles (upper body, expected to return next week)
Bill Zonnon (lower boy, expected to be out for another three weeks)
TV: A live stream of the game is available only on SNP+
Radio: The Penguins’ official flagship radio station, 105.9 ‘The X’.
8 – Aidan McDonough
10 – Aaron Huglen
11 – Filip Hallander
12 – Robby Fabbri
18 – Tommy Novak
19 – Connor Dewar
22 – Sam Poulin
23 – Nolan Renwick
43 – Danton Heinen
46 – Blake Lizotte
48 – Valtteri Puustinen
51 – Cal Burke
53 – Philip Tomasino
DEFENSE
3 – Jack St. Ivany
5 – Ryan Shea
24 – Matt Dumba
27 – Ryan Graves
44 – Chase Pietila
56 – Alexander Alexeyev
75 – Connor Clifton
Categorized: Pittsburgh Penguins
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