Pens Morning Buzz & Practice Notes/ Asham back on the ice

The Penguins have hit the ice for today’s skate. Forward Arron Asham is back on the ice after sitting out Monday’s game with an illness.

Missing from today’s skate is Mike Comrie and of course Jordan Staal who continues his rehab.

Here are the lines for today’s skate

Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis

Cooke – Malkin – Talbot

Conner – Letestu – Kennedy

Rupp – Adams – Asham/Godard

Orpik – Letang

Martin – Michalek

Goligoski – Engelland

Lovejoy

10:08 a.m. Morning Buzz

After having an off-day on Tuesday, the surging Pittsburgh Penguins (16-8-2) return to the ice this morning at 11:00 a.m. at Southpointe. We’ll have updates starting at 11.

The Penguins host the redhot Atlanta Thrashers (13-9-3) Thursday night, who are winners of 6 straight.

*Those in Jordan Staal’s camp tell me the Penguins have yet to establish an official timetable for his return but no setbacks to this point as today marks a month for when Staal fractured his wrist in practice. Staal is believed to be about 2-3 weeks from being cleared for contact.

Sidney Crosby (41 pts) enters Wednesday’s action with a 1 point lead over Steven Stamkos (40 pts) in the NHL points race. Stamkos had an assist in Tampa’s 4-3 overtime win against Toronto.

Alexander Ovechkin is 3rd in the NHL with 32 points. Ovechkin’s lack of production on the power play has been the difference thus far compared to years past. He only has 2 power play goals on the season.

Kris Letang enters Wednesday’s action tied for second in the NHL in points among defenseman with 23. Atlanta’s Dustin Byfuglien is first with 27 points and 10 goals.

In the plus/minus department, Letang is tied for 7th in the NHL with a +12 rating. Philadelphia’s Sean O’Donnell surprisingly leads the NHL with a +17 rating.