The Penguins need every point they can get in their push for the top spot in the NHL East, and they claimed two more points last night, again grabbing the lead in the division with a pounding of the Buffalo Sabres.
Paul Steigerwald has the recap.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the Penguins knew they were getting an elite scorer in Carter when they acquired him from the L.A. Kings at the trade deadline, but he says Carter is much more than just a goal scorer.
Sullivan says the defense needs to be tighter than it was last night, with the playoffs just around the corner.
Sullivan says the Penguins’ Saturday night regular season finale with the Sabres will have added significance because the schedule will give both Washington and Boston a chance to pass the Pens.
Jeff Carter says he has absorbed the Penguins system now and likes the offensive flow of his line, with Jared McCann and Freddie Gaudreau.
Carter agrees with Sullivan that the Penguins need to play better defense than they did last night.
Brandon Tanev wore a black full-contact jersey in the morning skate again but did not play last night. He may be back for the game on Saturday, giving him a chance to knock off some rust as he returns from an upper body injury in time for the playoffs.
Defenseman Mike Matheson skated with skills coach Ty Hennes yesterday and Sullivan said it’s been determined that Matheson will not need surgery after being hit in the face with a puck last weekend against Washington. Injured forward Evan Rodrigues and goaltender Casey DeSmith continue to rehab and are not skating yet.
Sidney Crosby’s teammates have voted him the Penguins’ MVP for the ninth time and also selected him for the “Player’s Player Award” for leadership. Crosby scored his 24th goal and added an assist last night, giving him a team-leading 62 points on the season.
The Penguins have signed 21-year-old forward Valtteri Puustinen to a two-year entry-level contract that takes effect at the start of next season. He was the Penguins 2019 7th round draft choice and played this year in the top-tier league in his native Finland, where he scored 21 goals with 20 assists.
Tomorrow’s game has been moved up to a 3 PM start, with airtime on 92.5 FM U92 and the U92 Sportschannel at 2:00. Legendary Penguins voice Mike Lange will return to the mic for the second time this season.
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