CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Oh, the Penguins coaching staff had a message for Daniel Sprong all right: "Practice is at 12 o'clock, make sure you're on time."
According to the organization's top prospect, that's about the only feedback he's gotten. But if he's called upon to play in the Penguins' second-round series against Washington, he declared himself ready to go.
"That's not up to me," Sprong said in his first comments since being assigned to the Penguins' Black Aces. "I feel if I get thrown in, I'm ready. I have a lot of confidence with the year I had, so if i do get the opportunity, I'll be ready to go."
The Dutchman's first full pro season included 32 goals and 65 points in 65 games to lead AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It also included an eight-game call-up with the Penguins in which he scored two goals and an assist, all of them coming in a 4-0 win over the Islanders in Brooklyn, a game that many players point to as a turning point in their season.
I asked Sprong about his second stint in the NHL (he also played 18 games at the start of the 2015-16 season):
Sprong felt that his overall game, not just his play in the defensive end, improved as the season went on and his playing time increased.
"I think I improved in everything, supporting the plays, defensive side or the offensive side," he said. "I think as the year went on, the coaches tested me a lot more, started playing those important minutes towards the end of the game where we were down or up, it means a lot those situations. It means that I was doing my job, getting better in that area. It's nice to see my progression moving forward."
A day earlier, Mike Sullivan echoed much of the same sentiment, telling DKPittsburghSports.com that the organization is "very excited" about Sprong and his development.
The 21-year-old took part in the pre-game warmup prior to Games 1 and 4 vs. the Capitals, leading to speculation that he could be inserted into the lineup. Sprong was one of 13 players that were recalled from the AHL to serve on the Black Aces but only he and Josh Jooris were given locker stalls in the Penguins' dressing room at PPG Paints Arena and at the Lemieux Sports Complex.
Sullivan tried to downplay any significance to that, saying that he didn't want "all kinds of people around the team."
"We need to make decisions on who those few extras might be at different positions that give us the flexibility with what happens with our players and our lineup," he said. "So that's how we make the decisions."
Translation: If there is an injury or the Penguins falter, Sprong is the next man up. Not that he sees it that way.
"I don't try to think that way," he said. "Just come to the rink every day, work hard and if I get a chance I'll give it everything I have to help the team win. But for now, I'll just keep working hard and wait for an opportunity."
• The Penguins held a very brief and very optional skate Friday morning at the Lemieux Sports Complex. In addition to Sprong, those taking the ice included Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Patric Hornqvist, Carter Rowney, Dominik Simon, Conor Sheary, Matt Hunwick and Brian Dumoulin, along with goalies Matt Murray and Casey DeSmith.
• Phil Kessel has "bumps and bruises," not an injury which is preventing him from playing well, according to Sullivan.
"I don’t think Phil’s banged up any more than anybody else," he said. "It's a physical series. Everybody has bumps and bruises. I think that’s just par for the course this time of year. I don’t think there’s a team left that's in the playoffs that doesn't have bumps and bruises."
• The top line with Crosby and Jake Guentzel has almost singlehandedly carried the Penguins against the Capitals, who they will meet again tomorrow night in Washington with the series tied two games apiece.
The beauty of the line, Crosby says, is that it can score in any way.
“Whatever the game dictates, but it’s being able to execute whatever situation that’s here," he said. “I think definitely in-zone is important, whether you're creating chances or just creating zone time. I think that helps gain momentum and draws penalties that way. A lot of good comes from getting in-zone time. But there are times you’re on the rush and you might get an opening and you’ve got to execute there too.”
• Hornqvist has staked out his livelihood in about a 15-foot radius around the opponent’s goal crease. But even though goalie interference is always a concern, more so recently than earlier in his career, Hornqvist said he hasn’t altered his game.
“No, we never know if it's going to be a goal or not,” he said. “That’s just the way it goes right now. At least for me, I’m around the net a lot. I try to do my job and make it hard for the goalie. Every time it’s a challenge, you never know if it’s going in or not.”
• The Capitals held an optional skate at their practice facility in Arlington, Va. Among those taking the ice was Andre Burakovsky, who hadn't skated since Game 2 of the first round vs. Columbus with a shoulder injury. Burakovsky is not expected back in this round.
QUOTABLE
“I think with Geno getting back, it helps a lot. He seems to separate himself from the front and that’s on the power play, too. He always seems to get that time and play opens up and we hold the puck a little more. I like our power play right now.” -- Hornqvist on the power play, which has gone 3-for-8 the past two games since Evgeny Malkin has returned.
BY THE NUMBER
11/2: Odds that the Penguins win the Stanley Cup, per Bovada. Those are the fourth-best odds of any team. Tampa Bay remains the favorite at 15/4.