In the city where Jake Guentze grew up as a professional, as opponent he is preparing for his first experience.
When the new team, the Carolina Hurricanes, visits the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, BSSO). Guentzel will play his former squad.
“It’s thrilling,” Guentzel informed the reporter on Monday, after practice in Raleigh, “North Carolina. I’ll get to see family tonight since they’re still there.” It’ll be fantastic to see some of the guys. However, it is going to be an exciting game and hopefully earn the two points.”
On 7 March, the Hurricanes took over Guentzel in a trade with the Penguins. In eight games with the Hurricanes Guentzels has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists), who are 6 – 1 -1 since the forwards debut on March 12. Because of an upper-body injury, he missed two games after the trade and hadn’t played since Feb. 14.
For the first place in the Metropolitan division, Carolina (45-20-7) is one point behind the New York Rangers. Nine points behind the Washington Capitals for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference is Pittsburgh (30-30-10), which is 2-5-2 since the trade.
In the third round (No. 77) of the 2013 NHL Draft Pittsburgh selected Guentzel, and during the 2016-17 season, he made his debut. In eight he had 466 points (219 goals, 247 assists) in 503 games, firstly skating as the left wing on Sidney Crosby’s line and in 2017 won the Stanley Cup.
On Tuesday Crosby said, “It’ll be a little weird.” “It is always a little vary. But I think things become a little more normal, once you settle into the game. But yeah on the other side, it’ll be weird seeing him.”
With Guentzel and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel he has been in contact Crosby said, on March 8 who was sent to the New York Rangers, since they have moved on.
“Oh yes, I have been talking to him. You always want to check in and make sure that guys are adjusting, especially in the early phase when they go to other clubs and things.” Crosby said, “Obviously with Guentzel and our relationship, is specific. ‘Ruby’ as well. You’re always pondering how things are going.”
How well Guentzel has fit with Carolina according to Crosby is not amazing.
“No matter to which team he went to, he was going to support them. He is a great player. I think with them he had a great time,” Crosby said. “Obviously, in the first few games there he was injured, and appears he’s settled in nicely and producing a lot. Therefore he is playing outstanding hockey for them.”
From the home crowd Tuesday the Hurricanes should know what to look for, having suffered from center Evgeny Kuznetsov’s reinstatement to Washington last week.
On March 8, in a trade Carolina obtained Kuzneston with the Capitals. On Friday, at Capital One Arena Kuznetsov and the Hurricanes played against the Capitals. In his first game against his former squad, the center skated 16:21 in a 7-6 shootout loss.
“It is tough,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “A lot of emotions are going to be there and we already kind of talked about it.” For the players, it is a tough game to play, no doubt about it. [Guentzel] did a lot of great things and he also had a great career there. It is a special night.”
A video tribute of Kuznetsov’s 11 seasons with the Capitals, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2018 was received to him. After the video tribute, the 18,573-person sellout crowd cheered for him and shouted “Kuuuuuz!” then during the shootout they hooted him.
Guentzel stated he has not given any thought to the video tribute that will be probably awaiting him the first period Tuesday during the first television timeout.
Guentzel further said, “It’s going to be emotional.” “It’s going to be fun. In our family’s hearts, it is a special place. It’ll be a cool experience.”
After the trade, Guentzel’s wife, Natalie, and their son, Charlie, stayed in Pittsburgh. He said how much his family values the city.
“I think you’ll soak it in warmup, your whole life doing what you’ve been doing, it’s a new experience, it’s just back to hockey and just playing but once the puck drops,” Guentzel stated. “It’s going to be different, but it’ll be fun.”
Michael Bunting, as part of the Guentzel deal, was traded from Carolina to Pittsburgh, an emotional night is also prepared.
“It is weird. When I walked in this morning, I just saw all the trainers and equipment staff over there” Bunting stated Tuesday. “It surely was a weird feeling. Something like this I’ve never been through. But it’s going to be a fun night.”
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