After playing three games in four days on two coasts, the Penguins got a couple of days rest, but they’re back on the ice tonight at Anaheim.
The Pens have won two of their first three games on a seven-game road trip, with a dominant performance in their last game, a 5-1 win over the LA Kings on Monday night.
Coach Mike Sullivan says the Penguins played exactly how they need to play in Monday’s win. He was especially pleased with their full-ice defense.
Sullivan says the Penguins have been able to play more in the offensive zone lately, and that gives them better scoring chances.
A key to the Penguins recent improved play has been defenseman Erik Karlsson, who is playing his best hockey of the season. Sullivan says Karlsson is playing hard and fast.
Rickard Rakell was back on the ice yesterday after missing Monday’s game to return to Pittsburgh to tend to a family matter. Anthony Beauvillier played on the third line after replacing Rakell on the top line Monday, and Drew O’Connor was dropped to the fourth line, with Matt Nieto the odd man out.
Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas denies a gambling website’s report that he will be conducting a “fire sale” of players before the trade deadline. Dubas told Pens’ play-by-play man Josh Getzoff that he “understand(s) how that stuff gets out and begins to take a life of its own–(but) it’s not accurate.” He said his goal remains to “help the core win one more time and set the team up for the long-range future.”
Pens/Ducks airs tonight on 92.5 FM U92 after high school basketball.
