After beating the New York Rangers, 7-4, Saturday night and chasing goaltender Igor Shesterkin from the ice in the process, the Penguins take a 2-1 lead into tonight’s fourth game of their Stanley Cup playoff series.
Coach Mike Sullivan gave the team the day off yesterday but met with reporters on Zoom.
Sullivan says the return of forward Jason Zucker to the lineup made a big difference in the game.
Sullivan eased Zucker back into the lineup, sending him out for only 19 shifts and 13:11 of ice time, but he still led the Penguins in hits, with 7. He set up Brock McGinn’s goal and drew a penalty that led to one of Evan Rodrigues’s three goals.
After the Penguins allowed the Rangers to tie the game with three straight goals in the second period, the coach says his veteran leaders came through between periods and set them up for the win.
Sullivan says Shesterkin is a great goaltender and the Penguins need to continue their net-front presence to have a chance to beat him.
Louis Domingue continues to man the net for the Penguins, with Casey DeSmith done for the season after having core muscle surgery on Friday and All-Star Tristan Jarry only now getting back on skates this past weekend. He’s been out since April 14th with a reported broken foot. He did not skate yesterday, as part of his recovery plan.
Sullivan says getting Jarry ready for game action is tougher in the playoffs because of the scheduling.
Forward Rickard Rakell skated yesterday with assistant coach Ty Hennes. He’s been out since suffering an apparent head injury in the first game of the series. Defenseman Brian Dumoulin also remained out of the lineup Saturday for a second straight game with an undisclosed injury.
Tonight’s Game Four faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. The pregame begins at 6 on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel.
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