Penguins' Phil Kessel: Uneventful debut encouraging

Kessel (hand) said he felt okay following his first preseason action Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "It feels OK," Kessel said of his surgically repaired hand. "I'm not going to say it feels unbelievable, because it doesn't. But it feels good enough. You've got to work your way back into the game. ... You just work through it."

Analysis:

The winger got off a quick wrister by the top of the left circle, showing little sign of any problems. Pittsburgh hasn't committed to a reunion of the HBK line, but Kessel figures to see plenty of time with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino throughout the season.