Important Piece Potentially Returning For Penguins Opener
Jake Guentzel's quick return is massive news for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Pittsburgh Penguins closed their 2023 training camp with a practice in front of their season ticket holders at PPG Paints Arena. Not only were they treated to a shootout challenge, but perhaps the most pivotal update of the Penguins preseason.
Jake Guentzel once again joined Penguins practice as a full participant. His progress has been a welcomed surprise for the Penguins as they wind down the preseason.
Guentzel had offseason surgery to repair an injured ankle on August 4th. The initial timetable had him missing 12 weeks of action. Penguins President of Hockey Ops and General Manager Kyle Dubas estimated that Guentzel would miss around five games.
Fast forward to yesterday, and the Penguins continued to be encouraged by Guentzel's expedited healing. After practice, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan updated the top-six wingers' status to day-to-day and a game-time decision for Tuesday's opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Guentzel's earlier-than-expected return is an early win for the Dubas-era in Pittsburgh. The Penguins showed last season that they are not a team that can fall behind the pack and claw back into the playoff picture. They improved in all areas of the roster this offseason but will still need to start strong.
The schedule to start the season leaves the Penguins with a great opportunity. Six of the Penguins' first nine games are on home ice, and 11 of the first 15 are against teams that missed the postseason in 2022-23.
While Drew O'Connor proved his metal during the preseason (4 goals in 3 games), getting Guentzel back to start the season gives the Penguins a more complete and balanced roster.
Even if Guentzel doesn't play in the opener, he would likely return in one of the Penguins' back-to-back games this weekend against the Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames.
Last season was a perfect example that every point counts. The Penguins can start collecting those points Tuesday against the Blackhawks, and getting their leading goal scorer of the last two seasons back in the lineup will certainly help.
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