The Penguins dropped their preseason game in Detroit last night, 4-3 when Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen scored 6:13 into the third period. Rasmussen took advantage of the Pens’ Radim Zohorna playing without a stick on the game-winning goal.
Pens’ goals were scored by Zohorna, Valterri Puustinen, and Sam Poulin. Zohorna and Puustinen each assisted on the others’ goal. Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves for the Pens.
The Penguins played without most of their regulars, who haven’t suited up for any of the three preseason games that have been played so far. Coach Mike Sullivan is getting an eyeful of them in practices, though, and he likes what he’s seeing.
Sullivan says Sam Poulin, the first round draft choice in 2019 who missed most of last season dealing with mental health issues, is improving every day as he tries to catch up again to the pace of the game.
Sullivan is also happy to see Ty Smith performing well on the right-hand side of the Penguins’ defense, despite Smith’s being a left-handed shot. The Penguins have room on the right but are loaded on the left, and Smith is an extremely talented offensive defenseman, so the coach says his versatility is key.
Sullivan said defenseman Mark Pysik’s injury is “longer term.” The 11-year veteran Pysik is in training camp on a professional tryout contract after missing last season with a torn Achilles tendon. Sullivan did not disclose the nature of the injury.
The Pens are back on the ice for practice at Cranberry today and will skate at PPG Paints Arena tomorrow night against Buffalo.
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