3 Fun Things to Watch in Penguins Preseason Game 1

The Pittsburgh Penguins will not unveil a new and wicked power play scheme Saturday night, or at least we dont think assistant coach David Quinn will use the patchwork of complimentary NHL players and prospects to unleash new wrinkles.

Instead, there will be a few other reasons to watch the Penguins against the Buffalo Sabres at Key Bank Arena in the first preseason game for both.

None of the expected Penguins top six forwards will play, and none of their top four centers will suit up.

So, the lineup will be typical for a preseason road game, except this time, the Penguins have enough talent to send beyond merely their core players.

3 Things to Watch in the Penguins Game 1.

Rutger McGroarty Hes been increasingly good in the intrasquad scrimmages.

As his confidence has grown, his skating stride has gotten stronger, his puck movement has been quicker, and hes looking like a player who will stick around for the regular season.

Quickname the last Penguins rookie to make the NHL squad with a real impact.

The answer might be John Marino in 2019.

McGroarty represents a fresh face and enthusiasm for the task.

Hell get a good look at NHLers Saturday because the Buffalo Sabres are dressing many of their regulars, including Tage Thompson .

McGroarty will play on the top line, taking the left flank with Drew OConnor moved to center and Cody Glass on the right.

2.

Tristan Broz Pittsburgh Hockey Now rates Brozs potential quite high.

After a few years of college highlights on YouTube, we got our first look last April in the AHL playoffs, followed by Development Camp, the Prospects Challenge, and Intrasquad scrimmages.

Broz has never before participated in a Penguins training camp.

Weve upped our projections from a bottom-six winger to a solid third-line center, with an outside shot of being a poor mans second-line center.

Hes feisty, has some filthy mitts, and his skating is now on par with other professionalsor so we think.

Saturday will be the first test against NHL players of another sweater.

Friday, he backed Marcus Pettersson off the blue line with a full-speed rush, then toe-dragged around Petterson for a clean shot.

Broz wasnt thrilled with his shot, but the confidence and ability to pull that move against a solid NHL defenseman speaks well of him.

Hell center Jesse Puljujarvi and Valtteri Puustinen.

If theres a line to watch Saturdaythis is it.

3.

Joel Blomqvist The Penguins top goalie prospect is close to being NHL-ready.

Hes got good size (though not great) and was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins best player last season.

Last April, Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas stopped just short of guaranteeing him a roster spot for this season.

However, Blomqvist stumbled a bit in the AHL playoffs, and the Penguins re-signed Alex Nedeljkovic .

The Penguins defensemen are also patchwork on Saturday.

Ryan Graves is the only NHL regular to be in the lineup.

John Ludvig and Ryan Shea will also dress, as will second-round pick Harrison Brunicke.

The Penguins defense figures to struggle just a bit against the professional Sabres lineup, and Blomqvist will be tested.

Lets see how it goes.

It wont be the biggest Penguins game of the season, but it could be quite interesting if you enjoy an advanced look at the next chapter of the Penguins.

Penguins Lines (Courtesy of the team): Rutger McGoarty-Drew OConnor-Cody Glass Jesse Puljujarvi-Tristan-Broz-Valtteri Puustinen Ville Koivunen-Vasily Ponomarev-Emil Bemstrom Tanner Howe-Jimmy Huntingdon-Avery Hayes Defense Ryan Graves-Mac Hollowell Ryan Shea-Nate Clurman John Ludvig-Harrison Brunicke This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission..

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