MATCH: Penguins vs. Avalanche

TIME: 7 p.m. EST

PLACE: PPG Paints Arena

TV: ROOT Sports

RADIO: 105.9 FM, The X

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The Pens are looking to open the season with 3 consecutive victories for the 2nd time in the past 4 seasons … Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust have both been ruled out of the game, though Rust is close to returning per head coach Mike Sullivan … The Avalanche begin a 4-game road trip tonight in Pittsburgh … Goalie Calvin Pickard will start for the Avs … Joe Colborne scored a hat trick in Colorado's 6-5 season-opening win.

MORNING SKATE REPORT

*The Pens used the following workflow at the morning skate…

Wilson-Malkin-Hornqvist

Kunitz-Cullen-Sheary

Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel

Kuhnhackl-Fehr-Sestito

Dumoulin-Letang

Maatta-Daley

Cole-Schultz-Pouliot

*Fleury will start in goal.

* Crosby (concussion) skated on his own prior to the morning skate.

*Crosby worked with goaltender Matt Murray (hand). Murray is close to rejoining the Pens for team practice.

*Rust (undisclosed) worked with the team at the morning skate, but did not take part in line rushes. He is close to becoming a "coaches' decision."