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Jake Guentzel, who grew up just outside St. Paul, will play an NHL game in his home state Saturday night for the second time when the Penguins take on the Wild.
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Jake Guentzel is looking forward to playing in his home state again

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Jake Guentzel is looking forward to playing in his home state again

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The last time Jake Guentzel played at the Xcel Energy Center, it was his third career NHL game.

In the year since, Guentzel has won a Stanley Cup, led the NHL in postseason goals and established himself as Sidney Crosby’s go-to linemate.

“It was a crazy year,” Guentzel said. “It’s hard to fathom how it all went.”

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Guentzel, who grew up just outside St. Paul, will play an NHL game in his home state Saturday night for the second time when the Penguins take on the Wild.

Sidney Crosby and Matt Cullen share a laugh during a June practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
Sam Werner
Matt Cullen hosted some former Penguins teammates for dinner and 'heated' mini hockey games

“Just to play in front of family and friends, it’s going to be special for us,” Guentzel said. “Definitely going to enjoy it, soak it all in.”

Guentzel said he doesn’t remember much from his first game at Minnesota, which came Nov. 25 of last season. He had an assist on Phil Kessel’s first-period goal, but the Penguins lost, 6-2.

“You don’t really remember much,” he said. “You’re just coming up for the first time and you get to play in your home state. I was really nervous. Obviously no nerves now, you’re just kind of excited to get going.”

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It was not, though, Guentzel’s first game in the building. He played there in the Minnesota State High School tournament his senior year of high school. Guentzel’s Hill-Murray team lost in the championship game.

“It was a tough night, for sure,” Guentzel said. “[But] as a kid, that’s what you dream about, playing in the state tourney here.”

Guentzel will have plenty of friends and family in the crowd Saturday night, as well. His dad, Mike, will be busy across town with his job as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota, but even he’ll be keeping tabs on the game as best he can.

“A lot of friends and family,” Guentzel said. “Obviously it’s going to be fun for all of us because it’s a [great] opportunity to play in your hometown. It’s going to be fun.”

Prank wars

Consider Ryan Reaves’ prank on Phil Kessel Friday night a warning to the rest of Reaves’ new teammates.

Reaves scared Kessel when the Penguins checked into their hotel in St. Paul, donning a clown mask and suit and waiting for Kessel in the dark as he walked into his room.

But this is nothing new for Reaves, who has a history of pranking his teammates. He said he got Scott Gomez with the same trick (same hotel, even) when the two played for St. Louis two years ago. He also once saran-wrapped Ian Cole’s car when they were Blues teammates.

“This is the warning,” Reaves said. “Shots have been fired. I hope somebody comes at me, but I don’t scare easy.”

Injury update

Defensemen Justin Schultz and Matt Hunwick, both recovering from concussions, did not travel with the Penguins to Minnesota. Coach Mike Sullivan, though, said it’s possible that one or both of them could join the team later on this road trip, which will include five games over the next week.

Sam Werner: swerner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @SWernerPG.

First Published: October 28, 2017, 7:20 p.m.

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Jake Guentzel, who grew up just outside St. Paul, will play an NHL game in his home state Saturday night for the second time when the Penguins take on the Wild.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
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