Of the pressing issues confronting the Penguins, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury’s performance is not particularly high on the list.
It's probably sitting somewhere between what laundry detergent the equipment staff used to wash players' jerseys and perhaps the design of the team’s disposable coffee cups.
But even if there was some lingering concern following Fleury’s performance Tuesday in Detroit, where he allowed three goals on 19 shots, that was certainly assuaged with Friday’s 23-save shutout that helped produce a 1-0 Penguins victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Consol Energy Center.
“When one doesn’t go in, it’s always good,” Fleury said.
The Penguins improved to 2-1 this preseason, as Fleury matched Tristan Jarry’s shutout from Wednesday.
This one, like so many for Fleury, came because he was tracking the puck particularly well.
When Fleury stays locked on the puck, it enables him to use his poke check, something he does better than most NHL goalies, to thwart potential shooters. He did it midway through the second period to deny Tyler Motte.
“I thought he was tracking the puck really well,” Sullivan said. “He made some timely saves for us. He looked really comfortable in there tonight. He was seeing it really well, fighting through the traffic.”
Later in the second period, when the Penguins sputtered on a power play chance, Fleury used his pad to stop Motte again, this time on a two-on-none break.
With Matt Murray out 3-6 weeks because of a broken hand, the starting job is 100 percent Fleury’s. Even when Murray gets back, the two will split starts.
Fleury played just 80 minutes last season after April 1 because of a pair of concussions and Murray’s ascension. The rust he felt last start was understandable, but it certainly isn’t a cause for concern.
Especially not after Friday.
“I think it’s just getting back into game shape a little bit, getting the timing back,” Fleury said. “Over the summer, I do a lot of shots and drills. Then in the game you kind of stand there sometimes with nothing to do for awhile. You have to stay focused, with traffic and people crashing the net.”
Oleksy unapologetic for hit
Steve Oleksy brought his physical game, the same one he displayed at the UPMC Lemieux Complex last weekend when training camp opened. Oleksy was credited with a game-high seven hits and fought Ryan Hartman in the second period.
A little later he ran into trouble when he collided with Graham Knott near center-ice. It appeared to be a knee-on-knee hit, which irked the Blackhawks, and Oleksy was called for interference.
“Their defenseman laid a puck out there for the forward coming into it,” Oleksy explained. “If he’s going to lay a soft pass like that over the middle, I’m going to try and do whatever I can do to make a hit on that. Unfortunately he didn’t touch the puck or mishandle the puck, whatever it may be. I got called for interference. It’s part of the game.”
Oleksy is not likely to make the NHL club out of camp, but his physical presence, doing things like he did on this night, make him a rarity among the Penguins' highly skilled defensemen. If coach Mike Sullivan desires some snarl on the back end, Oleksy could be back sooner rather than later.
Wilson gains confidence with goal
Scott Wilson said a year ago at this time he was getting a little uneasy, trying so hard to make an impression and gripping his stick too tight. He’s more relaxed now. And the results have been really good.
Wilson scored the game’s only goal when he corralled a Conor Sheary pass with his skate and fired a shot past Lars Johansson from in tight at 25 second into the second period.
It’s a culmination of a strong week for Wilson, who’s coming off season-ending ankle surgery in 2015-16.
“I think (Wilson's) had a strong camp so far,” Sullivan said. “He came into camp in real good shape. He’s really competing on pucks. I think you can see his scoring ability. He’s really got a nose for the net. He’s got a great release. He’s got a real good shot. He missed a fair amount of time at the end of last season with his injury. We’re trying to get him involved as much as we can here in this exhibition season.”
Other impressions
• Carter Rowney has been steady and effective this camp. He recorded two shots on goal, three hits, blocked a pair of shots and won 10 of 15 faceoffs in 18 minutes, 52 seconds of ice time.
• Rowney has been centering a line with Jake Guentzel and Dominik Simon, a group Sullivan has wanted to keep together to maintain chemistry. That group combined for six of the Penguins’ 28 shots on goal. Guentzel continues to show his speed and smarts and slid a slick pass to Rowney that resulted in one of the Penguins' better scoring chances.
• The Penguins’ power play was not particularly impressive, looking disjointed at times. It didn’t manage a shot in 2:44 and struggled with zone entries. Don’t worry too much, though: The majority of their power play talent is missing, and the Penguins have spent little time on power play work in practice.
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: October 1, 2016, 2:47 a.m.
