Defenseman Ben Lovejoy has joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in Minnesota today. Lovejoy arrived at the facility this afternoon but the recall won’t be official until close to 4:00 p.m.
Lovejoy did not participate in the morning skate, due to the recall not being official when the Penguins skated at 11:30 a.m. central time.
Lovejoy being called up over Deryk Engelland is an indication that Lovejoy did not get called up just to sit in the press box.
The Penguins have not been pleased with the play of Martin Skoula who was benched Thursday night against Philadelphia. Lovejoy will be in the lineup at somepoint during this road trip.
Lovejoy, 25, has appeared in eight games with Pittsburgh, collecting three assists and a plus-5 rating. Lovejoy finished with a plus or even rating in all eight games.
Meanwhile, Brooks Orpik flew back to Pittsburgh to be evaluated early this morning by Dr. Charles Burke, a source tells me.

While the Penguins are saying Orpik is day-to-day, there was some concern Sunday morning and the Penguins have now opted for Orpik to evaluated back in Pittsburgh.
Updated 4:35: Orpik (lower body) is expected to be sidelined for at least a week, pending further evaluation.
more to come