A decision could get made this week. We could get hockey back!
What does that mean for the Penguins? A whole lot. For as good as the season had been up until their recent stretch, the Pens were 3-8 in their last 11 games. The "pause" while not good for the game, may have come at a good time for Sidney Crosby and co.
In addition to getting a bit of a breather for guys like John Marino and Brian Dumoulin, Jake Guentzel should be healthy enough to return to the lineup.
What's that mean for the Pens in terms of their lines? Well, here's my thought:
Forwards:
Zucker/Sidney Crosby/Sheary
Guentzel/Malkin/Rust
Marleau/McCann/Hornqvist
ZAR/Blueger/Tanev
Defensemen:
Dumoulin/Letang
Pettersson/Marino
Johnson/Schultz
Scratches:
Rodrigues, Bjugstad
Zucker and Crosby found some chemistry in their time since the trade that brought the two together. That would leave Guentzel on a super "second-line" with the resurgent Malkin and Bryan Rust, who's having a career year.
The bottom-six is filed with speed, skill, and some jam.
The blue line is solid when Johnson/Schultz can have their minutes managed. Marino and Dumoulin had returned to the lineup, but were clearly not fully healthy. I'd imagine that's different now as it has been 67 days since we've seen a NHL game.
I think the Pens will have as good a shot as any to hoist the Cup. The roster is filled with depth AND, with the return of Jake Guentzel, the top-two lines pack a lot of scoring punch.