The Penguins held a light, optional skate yesterday at PPG Paints Arena, still resting up from a grueling schedule last week, when they went 4-1 and solidified their grip on second place in the Metro Division. One notable skater was goaltender Stu Skinner, his eye no longer swollen shut after he was hit by a puck Saturday as he sat on the bench.
Coach Dan Muse said the Penguins could use the rest more than the practice.
Muse says the Penguins’ outstanding play of late – and this season – has been a result of the players’ determination.
It was team picture day, but Anthony Mantha was absent due to illness, so he will have to be added digitally to the photo.
The big item of business for the Pens was the annual team awards, which were announced yesterday. Defenseman Erik Karlsson was named Penguins’ MVP by his teammates, the first time in six years that Sidney Crosby did not get the award. Crosby was voted the Players’ Player Award for the eighth time. Noel Acciari won the Unsung Hero Award, Ben Kindel the Rookie of the Year, and Blake Lizotte and Ryan Shea shared the Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Baz Bastien Memorial Trophy, (the Media Good Guy Award) voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association Pittsburgh chapter and other media, went to Bryan Rust.
The Penguins play the Devils tomorrow night in New Jersey.
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