Riley Barber has played just three games in the National Hockey League, so it's no surprise that he never has faced the Penguins.
But he was a self-described "really big fan" of the Penguins while growing up in Washington, Pa., and was selected by Washington in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL draft, which was held at PPG Paints Arena.
Despite all of that, however, Barber said after the Canadiens' game-day skate today that it was the first time he has been in the building, that "the only building I've been in was the old Igloo."
Coincidentally enough, he's also preparing to play his first game with Montreal, which signed him as a free agent last summer, after he began his pro career with the Capitals.
The Canadiens summoned him from their American Hockey League affiliate in Laval, Quebec a few days ago, and he is scheduled to be in their lineup when they face the Penguins tonight at 7:08.
Might even get some work on Montreal's power play, although Canadiens coach Claude Julien declined to commit to that.
"We'll see," he said. "He may not start there, he may end up there. That's part of managing a bench."
Although Barber's offensive game is his greatest asset, he is expected to start on the fourth line, with Matthew Peca and Nate Thompson.
"One thing we know is, he's got a good shot," Julien said. "He's really found his scoring touch there lately in Laval."
He led the Rocket in assists (12) and points (18) at the time of his recall, and had a five-game scoring streak during which he put up two goals and five assists.
"As of late, they started falling in for me and my linemates," Barber said. "That's always a positive thing."
And while he'll be filling a blue-collar niche with the Canadiens, he doesn't plan to suppress his offensive instincts.
"I think I know the role I'll play up here, and the way I have to play," he said. "It's not going to stop me from making plays, or anything like that."
Barber, who mother was a skating instructor at Southpointe and who had Penguins alum/broadcaster Bob Errey as a youth coach, moved to Michigan when he was 13 to pursue his future in hockey, but didn't abandon his loyalty to the Penguins when he left the area.
"I was there when they won the Stanley Cup in Detroit (in 2009)," he said. "I remember when Mario (Lemieux) bought the team. He had a kid (Austin) a little bit older me who was around the rink at times. ... And when we drafted (Sidney) Crosby, it was a big thing for me and my brothers, that's for sure."
It's safe to assume that Barber -- who cited Colby Armstrong, Ryan Malone and Crosby as particular favorites during his formative years -- won't be referring to the Penguins as "we" tonight.
Instead, his focus will be on convincing the Canadiens to keep him on the major-league roster when some injured players return or, at the very least, to put himself at the top of the list of recall candidates as the season progresses.
"We're going to have a look at him here," Julien said. "We had a look at him in camp, and he was good enough to stay right until the end. This is the middle of the season, when the play is a little bit higher level, so we'll see how he handles himself."
