MORNING SKATE BUZZ
The Penguins open the regular season tonight vs the New Jersey Devils and there is more buzz about Jaromir Jagr’s picture being removed from the Penguins locker than there is for tonight’s game.
The Penguins are on the ice now for today’s morning skate and missing from the skate is James Neal.
Neal who is believed to be dealing with a minor injury, did not practice yesterday and has been regarded as questionable for tonight’s game.
Joe Vitale is again filling in for Neal on right wing with Evgeni Malkin and Jussi Jokinen. Despite Neal not skating, Vitale skating on the second line could be a sign that the coaches expect Neal to give it a go tonight. It’s expected Neal will be called a game time decision tonight but guess here is that he’s playing tonight. Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma meets with the media for his pre-game media session in about 45 minutes.
LINES & D-PAIRS

Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Pascal Dupuis
Jussi Jokinen – Evgeni Malkin – Joe Vitale
Beau Bennett – Brandon Sutter – Chuck Kobasew
Tanner Glass – Dustin Jeffrey – Craig Adams
DEFENSEMEN
Brooks Orpik – Paul Martin
Rob Scuderi – Matt Niskanen
Olli Maatta – Robert Bortuzzo
Deryk Engelland