Pens Points: Chinakhov the Maple Leaf?

Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…

In an alternate universe, Egor Chinakhov might be wearing blue and white and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs reportedly tried to trade for Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, including discussions around a swap involving Nick Robertson. They couldn’t finalize a deal before he was ultimately sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins. [PensBurgh] Penguins forwards Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte appear to be in the final stages of recovery from their respective maladies. When asked recently whether they would be able to suit up for Game 1 on Saturday night, both players said they were ready to “go.” [] Many within the Penguins’ locker room are embracing their return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out in recent seasons, with players and coaches emphasizing that meaningful spring hockey is exactly what they worked for all year. [] Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Plum native and ESPN host Pat McAfee made a friendly wager on the Penguins-Flyers first-round playoff series, with Shapiro backing Philadelphia and McAfee rooting for his hometown Penguins. If the Penguins win, Shapiro will wear a tank top to work; if the Flyers win, McAfee will wear a suit on his show. [] The Penguins are moving on from defenseman after the team reportedly placed the veteran on waivers for contract termination. []