PENGUINS WORK ON POWER PLAY, SET LINEUP FOR SECOND PRESEASON GAME

The Penguins got to work on the power play yesterday, installing the new system of power play specialist David Quinn, the former LA Kings coach who was hired to replace Todd Reirden with the Pens in the offseason.

Coach Mike Sullivan broke the team up into four units, including some younger players he expects will play the same power play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm team this season.  With Erik Karlsson still out with an undisclosed injury, the first power play unit included forwards Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell, along with defenseman Kris Letang.

Sullivan says the focus of the power play will be winning faceoffs and entry passes into the opponent’s zone.

Asked specifically if there are roster spots available for defensemen, Sullivan broadened the topic to the entire roster.

Letang says the Penguins can’t limit themselves to one small area of the ice, especially on the power play.

Letang and Malkin had the thrill of taking part in the “Terrible Towel Twirl” at the start of Sunday’s Steelers game.  Letang was decked out in a Jack Lambert number 58 jersey, matching his Penguins number.  Malkin wore an autographed jersey given to him years ago by Troy Polamalu.

Letang was overwhelmed by the roar of the Steelers crowd when he came through the tunnel.

Malkin says he used to love watching Troy Polamalu play so he was honored to wear his jersey on Sunday.

The Penguins have released the roster for tonight’s preseason game against Buffalo at PPG Paints Arena.  It is again a mostly minor league and junior hockey group, with some veterans sprinkled in, such as goaltender Alex Ndeljkovic, defensemen Ryan Shea and Ryan Graves, along with Jack St. Ivany, and forward Noel Acciari.  Also on the ice tonight will be promising prospects Owen Pickering, Rutger McGroarty, Sam Poulin, Jonathan Gruden, and Harrison Brunicke.

THE LINEUP:

GOALIES

30 – Joel Blomqvist

39 – Alex Nedeljkovic

DEFENSE

3 – Jack St. Ivany

5 – Ryan Shea

25 – Sebastian Aho

27 – Ryan Graves

38 – Owen Pickering

45 – Harrison Brunicke

82 – Filip Kral

FORWARDS

2 – Rutger McGroarty

9 – Marc Johnstone

13 – Kevin Hayes

14 – Boko Imama

15 – Joona Koppanen

19 – Cody Glass

22 – Sam Poulin

44 – Jonathan Gruden

46 – Blake Lizotte

55 – Noel Acciari

72 – Anthony Beauvillier

74 – Tanner Howe

85 – Avery Hayes