Jesse Puljujarvi had a decent return to the Penguins' lineup on Wednesday in his first game in exactly a month, recording one shot in 13:37 on the third line next to Kevin Hayes and Drew O'Connor. When all three players were on the ice at five-on-five, the Penguins outshot the Blue Jackets 10-6 and out-attempted them 18-10. I spoke with Puljujarvi after practice, and he said he "felt OK, not the best" about his return.
"It was a little bit hard physically," he explained. "But hopefully, I can get more games and get the game shape back."
He thinks that he still needs to work on rebuilding his confidence, too, saying, "I think I need to put it back up. Make more plays, be even more strong with the puck and use my size. Hopefully, I can get more good games."
When Mike Sullivan has spoken in the past about how they decide to scratch some struggling players and continue to play others who are struggling, he's stressed the importance of playing with the right "intentions." Earlier in the season, Sullivan evidently didn't think Puljujarvi's intentions were there. Now, he does.
"I thought Jesse brought good energy," Sullivan told me. "You know, I thought his intentions were certainly in the right place. He's trying to get in on the forecheck. He's trying to use his size to force turnovers. He had opportunities at the net a couple times. For someone who hasn't played in a little while, I think it was a solid first game."
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THE ASYLUM
Puljujarvi: Confidence needs 'put back up'
Jesse Puljujarvi had a decent return to the Penguins' lineup on Wednesday in his first game in exactly a month, recording one shot in 13:37 on the third line next to Kevin Hayes and Drew O'Connor. When all three players were on the ice at five-on-five, the Penguins outshot the Blue Jackets 10-6 and out-attempted them 18-10. I spoke with Puljujarvi after practice, and he said he "felt OK, not the best" about his return.
"It was a little bit hard physically," he explained. "But hopefully, I can get more games and get the game shape back."
He thinks that he still needs to work on rebuilding his confidence, too, saying, "I think I need to put it back up. Make more plays, be even more strong with the puck and use my size. Hopefully, I can get more good games."
When Mike Sullivan has spoken in the past about how they decide to scratch some struggling players and continue to play others who are struggling, he's stressed the importance of playing with the right "intentions." Earlier in the season, Sullivan evidently didn't think Puljujarvi's intentions were there. Now, he does.
"I thought Jesse brought good energy," Sullivan told me. "You know, I thought his intentions were certainly in the right place. He's trying to get in on the forecheck. He's trying to use his size to force turnovers. He had opportunities at the net a couple times. For someone who hasn't played in a little while, I think it was a solid first game."
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