Penguins coach Mike Sullivan put the team through an up-tempo scrimmage yesterday as they prepare for their playoff series opener against the New York Islanders. Everyone was on board for practice, but Sullivan held Evgeni Malkin and Casey DeSmith out of the scrimmage.
Sullivan says the Penguins know what they’re up against in the Islanders.
Sullivan says Pens’ captain Sidney Crosby’s leadership stands out even more than usual when the Stanley Cup playoffs arrive.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry has only ever played one playoff game, a loss to Montreal last year, but Sullivan is confident that Jarry can handle playoff pressure.
Crosby says he relishes the chance to line up with Malkin and Kris Letang to take another shot at winning their fourth Stanley Cup together.
Crosby says the team has put their playoff failures of the last two seasons behind them.
Crosby says the Penguins 6-2 record against the Islanders included some close games, so they know they’re playing a formidable opponent.
Defenseman Mike Matheson is back after taking a puck to the face a couple of weeks ago. He says the Pens have been working on dealing with one of the Islanders’ strengths-an aggressive forechecking game.
Matheson says this very different season may actually have helped the Penguins grow closer as teammates because they have had to spend so much time isolated in hotel rooms together.
The NHL is expected to release the playoff schedule today. The Penguins/Islanders series is most likely going to start on Saturday or Sunday.
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