CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Looking ahead to today’s session …
• What: Penguins practice
• When: 3-4 p.m.
• Where: Lemieux Sports Complex
• Media availability: 4-4:30 p.m.
FOLLOW PRACTICE WITH BRADFORD
5:59: Sullivan said Matt Hunwick's status will be based on how he responds to Monday's practice. Hunwick sat out last Thursday's win over the Wild with an upper body injury.
5:44: Obviously, Mike Sullivan is pleased with the direction his team is finally headed. But, despite that, the Penguins are still hardly a lock to make the playoffs. That, he says, is nothing new to the league nowadays where a three-game winning streak can propel a team to the top of the standings and a three-game skid to the bottom.
"I think it's just the nature of the league, the format of the league, overtime losses being rewarded points," he said. "It's hard to create any separation. It's just the nature of the league year in and year out. It always seems like you're in a race to earn a playoff spot. It's no different this year."
The good news for the Penguins is that it creates a sense of urgency. Few teams have fared better with their backs against the wall than Sullivan's teams. Keep in mind that the Penguins have played Game 7s and stared them down.
"We certainly would like to be in a better position than we are, but we also believe that we're in control of our own destiny and believe we have what it takes to get to where we want to go," Sullivan said. "We just have to stay in the moment and take each game as it comes and bring our very best each and every game."
5:39: When Jean-Sebastien Dea was demoted last Friday, he didn't take it too hard. He was given the heads-up that it would be just a weekend stint with Wilkes-Barre.
Dea made the most of it, though, scoring a goal in Saturday's game vs. Binghamton.
"It was good to get a game in, keep the legs going," he told me. "Obviously, great to be back."
In the AHL, Dea said he had a lot more time and space in which to operate. Something he doesn't get a lot of in his current role on the fourth line. But he said the experience of the last two weeks has given him a lot of confidence.
"I used to be nervous, more excited, didn't feel as comfortable as I do now," he said. "Just embrace the process and excited to be here and make the most of every moment."
Sullivan gave strong praise to Dea's game, saying that his speed adds a different element to the fourth line. But he added that no matter who is at center, it doesn't change the north-south identity of the line. Carter Rowney, out since Jan. 2, has been skating on his own.
4:56: Matt Murray looks close to returning but Sullivan, as he does, wouldn't commit to his starting goalie for Tuesday night.
"We want to get him back in net, but we want to do it the right way," Sullivan said.
Murray has played just four games over the last month due to the death of his father. He was 2-2 in those games, the last of which he came in relief of Tristan Jarry vs. Boston on Jan. 7. The Penguins have gone 5-2 since the Bruins game using Jarry and, most recently, Casey DeSmith.
While the team has played well of late, goalies included, they are usually mutually exclusive, according to Murray.
"I say this all the time we don't play hockey, we play goalie," Murray said. "It's a completely different sport. It's not even close to the same physically, mentally or anything like that."
4:54: Good but not great. That was the assessment of Conor Sheary on his team's recent performances. The Penguins, who face the Sharks tomorrow, are on the right trajectory, though.
"We still have a lot to work for," Sheary said. "We have games at hand on teams that are right next to us. We want to approach each game the same way: That we're looking for two points."
4:47: A benevolent PR intern was asking each player who they think would win the Super Bowl. Hint: I think Crosby's going with New England and I think it might have something to do with their opponent.
4:45: Good stuff from the room today. Will get it to you shortly.
3:55: Stretching commences as practice wraps up.
3:41: And Dumoulin just clipped Guentzel in the Chicklets. Looks to be OK.
3:33: Crosby just flung the stick out of Cole's hands. Don't worry, they're having a laugh about it.
3:31: And now your usual assortment of odd-man rushes and tips. Crisp pace but nothing too crazy after a few days off.
3:19: Hunwick and Ruhwedel are skating as odd pair.
3:18: Running the paces with half-ice 3-on-3 and cones.
3:17: The lines and pairs look familiar ...
Simon-Crosby-Sheary
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Guentzel-Sheahan-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Dea-Rust
Dumoulin-Letang
Cole-Oleksiak
Maatta-Schultz
3:08: Yes, Letang is here too. Looks like we've got the full complement.
3:05: Fresh off his All-Star game appearance yesterday, Sidney Crosby is among the first dozen players to take the ice.
3:00: First skater on is Bryan Rust.
2:57: And now Casey DeSmith joins him. Unless 18 guys get out here quick, looks like we might be running a few minutes late here.
2:51: Matt Murray is first goalie on the ice. By himself shooting pucks.
2:48: Hope the ice is in better shape than it was last night for beer league, big divot on the Mickey D's logo. Guess who scored his first of the season, on a breakaway no less? And guess who had another waved off for "kicking" the puck in the net (even though there was clearly no "distinct" kicking motion)? But I digress ...
2:47: Greetings from Lemieux Sports Complex where the Penguins will be taking the ice shortly.
THE SETUP
The Penguins return from the All-Star break with a late-afternoon session at the team's practice facility. Winners of seven of their last nine, including five in a row at home, the Penguins will begin preparations for Tuesday night's game against the Sharks at PPG Paints Arena.
I'll have full coverage from Le Complex 66, along with Dejan Kovacevic and Matt Sunday.