When Daniel Sprong last played a season opener, it figured to be the first of many. It might still be, but he just didn't think it would take another three years until he played in another.
When Sprong takes the ice for Thursday night's season opener against the Stanley Cup champion Capitals at PPG Paints Arena -- and all indications Wednesday at practice were that he will -- it'll be his first since Oct. 15, 2015.
Barring a setback, it will be Brian Dumoulin's fourth opener, though he sustained an upper body injury last Friday in Columbus. Technically, he and Mike Sullivan both termed him "a game-time decision." But the fact that he went from a non-contact jersey to full-contact within the first 10 minutes of Wednesday's practice showed plenty.
"Our training staff has done a good job of making sure I'm ready to go instead of just rushing back and trying to play in that first game," Dumoulin said. "Obviously, everyone wants to be part of that. It's definitely great, especially being here in Pittsburgh, being in the building. I'm doing everything I can to play tomorrow, but taking it step by step."
Dumoulin, of course, was a lock to make the roster. He's a two-time Stanley Cup champion and he resumed his role Wednesday as Kris Letang's partner on the top defensive pairing. That bumped newcomer Juuso Riikola, who had been on that pairing, down to the mythical fourth pairing with Chad Ruhwedel, meaning Riikola's NHL debut likely will have to wait.
Sprong skated on the fourth line with Riley Sheahan centering left wing Matt Cullen. Sprong was off the ice at practice much earlier than Derek Grant, the only other candidate for the spot.
Coincidentally, it was Cullen who centered Sprong that October night years ago. Though that was a 3-0 loss to the Stars in which he played just 8:59 and registered one shot, he recalls the game and all that led up to it fondly. It's been quite a journey since then. Physically and mentally he's says he's matured but the emotions that are coursing through his veins are as much as they were then:
"Same excitement level," Sprong was telling me. "Instead of being an 18-year-old kid, I'm 21 now. It's been a crazy three years with the surgery and playing back in junior, but I'm excited for opening night tomorrow."
In 2015, Sprong played 18 games before being returned to Charlottetown (QMJHL). When the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup later that spring, Sprong suffered a shoulder injury while serving on the black aces. That injury sidelined him most of the following season. Last season, Sprong received a brief stint in the NHL, recording two assists in eight games last January.
After scoring 32 goals and recording 65 points in 65 games last season in Wilkes-Barre, Sprong is under some pressure to produce at the NHL level.
Cullen says it's not a question of talent with Sprong, only a matter of going out and doing it.
"As a young kid, there's expectation; you put pressure on yourself," Cullen was telling me. "It can be challenge. You want everything to go perfect and score 40 goals or whatever, but it's a tough league. Sometimes its takes a while to find your comfort level and adapting to the way you need to play at this level. The best thing is if you're willing to work at it, and I believe that he's shown that he is, he'll be fine."
[live-feed start="10/03/2018 03:00:00" end="10/03/2018 15:00:00" max="100" category="penguins" order="DESC" headers="false"]
MATT SUNDAY GALLERY
Penguins practice, PPG Paints Arena, Oct. 3, 2018 - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS