Recap: Two thousand twenty - Two Hat Tricks. Pens kick off year right

Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty ImagesPregame

It’s the first game in 2022 and the first game in two weeks for the Penguins, who interestingly enough open up on a NFL Sunday at 1pm which is weird, but whatever. (No time conflict with the Steelers).

It’s a very different lineup too, with four new forwards from last game (Guentzel, Rust, Bjorkqvist, Zohorna in; Zucker, Kapanen, Blueger, Carter out). For Kasper Bjorkqvist, it’s his NHL debut in his draft+6 season.

First period

The Penguins scored early, late and in between as they rung up a 6-1 lead in the first period. Who could have been sure what to expect for a day game with a two week layoff, but the Pens were ready to play. It was also…