Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins finalize 23-man opening night roster

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins finalized their 23-man opening night roster by designating goaltender Tristan Jarry as injured non-roster, the team announced Tuesday.

Jarry suffered a lower-body injury in the Penguins’ final preseason game in Columbus.

Included in the 23-man roster -- 19 of whom skated for the Penguins last year -- are 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

The team is rested, reloaded, and remains a solid team that will head into the 2018-19 season with a legitimate chance to win a third Stanley Cup in four years.

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Sidney Crosby enters his 14th NHL season leading the way with fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin.  

Additions include two-time Pens Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen, who, at 42 years old, returns for a second stint in Pittsburgh.

Defenseman Jack Johnson, a good friend of Crosby, is also new to the Pens after signing a five-year deal in the offseason.

Rookie defenseman Juuso Riikola will make his NHL debut in Thursday night’s opener against the Capitals.

Sidney Crosby enters his 14th NHL season leading the way with fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin. Additions include two-time Pens Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen, who, at 42-years-old, returns for a second stint in Pittsburgh.

Defenseman Jack Johnson, a good friend of Crosby, is also new to the Pens after signing a five-year deal in the offseason. Rookie defenseman Juuso Riikola will make his NHL debut in Thursday night’s opener against the Capitals.

The fourth new Penguin is forward Derek Grant. The Pens will be deepest down the middle, with Sid, Geno and Derick Brassard centering the top three lines.

An earlier exit from the playoffs last season gave the Pens a longer off-season, and an opportunity to rest.

Phil Kessel, Kris Letang, Jake Guentzel, Patric Hornqvist and No. 1 goalie Matt Murray are also part of a long list of talented stars.

Kessel scored a career-high 92 points last season, but Derik Brassard scored only 12 points in 26 games (regular season and playoffs).  Brassard finding his game is essential.

Carl Hagelin also hopes to improve on his 31 points last season. Their stars staying healthy is also essential to a deep run by the Pens.

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The Penguins will also be dealing with a stronger Metropolitan Division. The Caps are now the defending Cup champs, and are brimming with confidence after a 7-0 win over Boston on Wednesday night, when they raised the banner at Capital One Arena.

Columbus and Philadelphia are two other teams to watch in the Metro.

The Penguins open the 2018-19 regular season Thursday when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.

 

Cox Media Group

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