Pittsburgh Penguins reportedly to host Toronto in home opener

The Pittsburgh Penguins will reportedly open their shortened season on the road four of  their first five games. Their first two games will be on the road against two of their biggest rivals. Jan. 19 against the Philadelphia Flyers and Jan. 20th against the New York Rangers.

Then the Penguins will come back to a scene that has been long overdue.

On Jan. 23 they will return home to the CONSOL Energy Center and host the Toronto Maple Leafs.However, the Penguins do not get to stay home for long . After the Maple Leaf game they return to the road for another two game trip. This time against the Winnipeg Jets and the Ottawa Senators.

The Penguins will play 18 games against Atlantic Division opponents:  five each  against the Rangers and New York Islanders and four apiece against the Flyers  and New Jersey Devils.

With a shortened season the Penguins will be playing a lot of games in a very short time span. The trade for a veteran back up goalie in Tomas Vokoun is magnified now. With Vokoun it gives coach Dan Bylsma another option so he won’t have to rely on Marc-Andre Fleury so much. That will keep Fleury rested for a strong playoff run, unlike last year where anyone could see Fleury was dead tired in the first round loss to the Flyers.

The Penguins will close out the season on April 27 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The only visit for ex Penguins star Jordan Staal.