PENGUINS

Since missing five games with a concussion in mid-November after taking a puck to the head for the second time this year, Blake Lizotte has been consistent for the Penguins. He's scored four goals and tallied three assists in the last six games.

Lizotte has suffered two concussions this season -- both from being hit in the head with a puck off a teammate's blade -- and has played in only 13 of the Penguins' 29 games. 

Monday after practice, he credited his success to being able to have fun on the ice. 

"I think it's just, I missed so much time and you watch the guys play and compete and I think watching them play makes you want to be out there," Lizotte said. "So I think for me, it's just having fun. Wanting to be out there for the six to seven weeks I was out, so finally getting back in there, it's been fun. Just playing with passion and joy has been a big part of the success so far."

During his first seven games of the season, Lizotte only scored two goals and didn't record any assists. However, he's seen his time on the ice increase since his return. He's played an average of 21 shifts per game over the last six games after averaging about 13.5 through his first seven. He's also played over 13 minutes in four of the past six games after not doing that at all before his second concussion.