The second day of Penguins training camp in Cranberry yesterday featured the continued absence of nine players being held out as a precautionary measure because of possible secondary exposure to a person who tested positive for coronavirus. Altogether, eleven players on the roster sat out, including regulars Patrik Hornqvist and Juuso Riikola. The others mostly played for Wilkes-Barre this season.
On the ice Coach Mike Sullivan had the players get physical, with a lot of contact and close-quarters play in the corners.
Defenseman Markus Petterson said yesterday “combat drills” are a necessary element to the practices, because the playoffs will be very physical.
Coach Mike Sullivan had high praise for his second defense combo, John Marino paired with Petterson. Sullivan said Marino brings a complete game to the blue line and is a good fit with Petterson.
There was a lot of talk yesterday about the Pens’ third line. Center Jared McCann has been skating with Patrick Marleau on one wing and Sam Lafferty and Evan Rodrigues on the other. Hornqvist would presumably slide into that right wing slot when he returns, although Sullivan said not necessarily. McCann said he’s been impresses with the veteran Marleau.
Veteran defenseman Kris Letang talked about he and teammates Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin competing for a fourth Stanley Cup. Letang noted one important difference in that pursuit this year.
The Pens will return to game action with an exhibition game against the Flyers on July 28th in Toronto. The NHL announced that game, which is scheduled for 4 PM, and the league also announced that the first three games of the Penguins’ play-in series with Montreal will be at 8 PM.
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