Morning Skate Buzz: As Bortuzzo’s return nears, Scuderi’s spot in lineup will depend on how he’s valued by coaches on the PK

FLYERS (1-3-2, 4 PTS) @ PENGUINS (3-1-0, 4 PTS)

It’s rivalry night in Pittsburgh.

The Flyers who were waxed by the Chicago Blackhawks last night, 4-0, come to town in need of a victory after another slow start for the second consecutive season.

Philadelphia was blown out of the building early last night in Chicago, allowing three first period goals and 19 shots in the period.

“Our first period, offensively, was brutal,” Jacob Voracek said of the Flyers first period via CSNPhilly.com. “Twenty shots on our net is too many. Chicago can score and that’s exactly what they did.”

The Blackhawks three goals in the period came in a 2:06 span.

“The first period we got embarrassed. We didn’t win one battle,” Giroux said. “We’ve got to do a better job in front of [Steve] Mason. We’re playing good and then too many mistakes out there cost us.”

The Flyers last season went 3-0 against the Penguins at Consol Energy Center and all-time Philadelphia is 9-1-2 at Consol.

MORNING SKATE BUZZ: SCUDERI ODD-MAN OUT WHEN BORTUZZO RETURNS?.

Are there signs this morning that Rob Scuderi’s regular spot in the lineup is in jeopardy once Robert Bortuzzo returns, which could happen as early as tomorrow night against Detroit?

The Penguins opened today’s rushes with Simon Despres – Rob Scuderi than alternated with Robert Bortuzzo and Despres taking the next line rush.

Despres came out for every rush as Scuderi and Bortuzzo alternated each time. Bortuzzo is getting very close to returning but won’t play tonight.

Jim Rutherford has made it known to the coaching staff he wants the younger defensemen to play.

Things will be getting interesting in the coming days.

Whether Scuderi holds on to his regular spot in the lineup is going to come down to this:

How he’s valued by the coaching staff on the penalty kill. It’s where the coaching staff has seen his greatest value being but after the early struggles from the PK, if others prove themselves like Olli Maatta did Saturday night, than maybe the Penguins do indeed play the younger defensemen.

The Penguins also recalled Scott Harrington and Andrew Ebbett this morning but neither will be in the lineup.

PENGUINS LINEUP

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist

Pascal Dupuis – Brandon Sutter – Evgeni Malkin

Blake Comeau – Nick Spaling – Steve Downie

Zach Sill – Marcel Goc – Craig Adams

Olli Maatta – Kris Letang

Christian Ehrhoff – Paul Martin

Simon Despres – Rob Scuderi

Marc Andre Fleury in goal