CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Five days after sustaining a concussion in practice, Matt Murray took to the ice Friday morning at the Lemieux Sports Complex. He didn't take shots, but he was skating on his own in full equipment, a strong sign that the Penguins' No. 1 goalie is making significant progress in his recovery.
"That is the next step in the process," Mike Sullivan said afterward, referring to Murray taking shots. "We'll see how he responds and go from there."
Despite being fresh off the 8-4 loss Thursday night in Boston, the locker room came across as positive following what Patric Hornqvist described as a "short practice."
"We watched the film, and we learned from it and we put it behind us," he said of the mood. "It could be better, but I think actually that practice today was pretty good ... it looked like the boys had their legs, and we're all excited for tomorrow and we want to turn this around here."
The Penguins' next game is Saturday, 5:08 p.m., against the Islanders at PPG Paints Arena, and they'll have at least one new face in the mix. Dominik Simon was recalled following practice, and he will join the team ahead of the game. The Penguins won't have a morning skate due to the earlier puck drop, so it won't be known how -- or if -- he'll fit into the lineup.
If Simon is not in the press box, it will be interesting to see if he's reunited with Sidney Crosby or if he plays a fourth line role. Bryan Rust passes the eye test when playing with Riley Sheahan, and he'd be a more logical choice to slot in for depth. His speed, similar to Phil Kessel's, whom Sheahan spent most of the season centering, and ability to create on his own makes him more valuable in that role than one might assume.
NEWS AND NOTES
• Tristan Jarry was the first player on the ice, followed by Casey DeSmith. Both were probably feeling a bit anxious to stop some pucks this afternoon. Mike Buckley was out next, and he got to work with both immediately. Jarry took the first reps of the two, for whatever that matters.
• Ryan Shazier attended practice, watching from a low-profile corner of the rink and well-surrounded. Seems to be a fan of these Penguins.
Ryan Shazier watches Sidney Crosby skate by him at practice. - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS• Everyone participated in practice. Had thought it might be optional after a late-night — "turbulent" is what I've heard used — flight home from Boston.
• Kris Letang worked with the first power play. He also hit DeSmith in the mask, which had to scare everyone on the ice, but it was a glancing blow which didn't even stop play. The two shared a laugh following the stretch, undoubtedly about friendly fire.
• Working on 5-on-3 scenarios, Sidney Crosby spent a lot of time rotating high and working from the top of the kind-of umbrella. Looked like he wanted to be more assertive in that situation.
• Lines and pairings:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Brassard-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Sheahan-Rowney
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Oleksiak
Ruhwedel-Gonchar