The Penguins again tweaked their forward lines at practice Wednesday in Cranberry.
It would actually be more newsworthy if they went a few days without changes. But having lost three out of their past four games, coach Mike Sullivan continued to search for better combinations.
Derick Brassard was back at center throughout practice after spending the past two games as a left wing on the first line despite him showing off his playmaking skills alongside Sidney Crosby. Bryan Rust, meanwhile, practiced on Crosby’s right wing with Jake Guentzel back on Crosby’s left.
Brassard had raved about playing wing for the first time in his NHL career, saying it was “a lot of fun.” But the lineup was top-heavy, and the Penguins would like to have at least three dangerous lines. So Brassard was back on the third line Wednesday between Dominik Simon and Patric Hornqvist.
“We’re not where we want to be as a team, so you have to expect change,” said a bummed-out Brassard. “The lines are changing every game or every second game, so I’m not really surprised.”
The lone line that has stuck it out throughout the first two weeks of the season is the trio of Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin. But even though Kessel’s hat trick sparked the Penguins to a victory against Vegas last week and Hagelin scored late to send the Tuesday game against Vancouver into overtime, Sullivan doesn’t seem too thrilled with their play either — at least not at the moment.
“It has the potential to be a very dynamic line,” he said. “The quick-strike capability is evident. They can go through long stretches where they don’t have the puck and things don’t happen, then in one shift they can put it in the back of the net. That’s what that line has the ability to do for us.”
That was a roundabout way of saying he thinks they should have the puck a lot more often.
“We’re trying to work with that particular line and establish a little more structure without the puck so they can get the puck back quicker because they work collectively,” he continued. “Sometimes, they’re such instinctive players, there’s not always a collective effort or cooperative play.”
Murray is ‘ready to go’
Matt Murray could be in goal Thursday when the Penguins visit Auston Matthews, John Tavares and the Maple Leafs in Toronto. If so, it would be his first start in a dozen days.
“I hate being out. I hate not playing,” Murray said. “So, absolutely, I’m ready to go.”
Murray was diagnosed with a concussion Oct. 8, was sidelined one game and then backed up Casey DeSmith in the next two, including the 3-2 overtime loss against the Canucks.
Sullivan said Tuesday he felt it would be beneficial for Murray, who allowed 11 goals in two starts this season, to watch at least a couple of games “up close” from the bench before making his first start since sustaining his latest concussion. Murray was asked about that comment Wednesday.
“That’s coach’s decision,” said Murray, who forced a grin while contemplating his reply. “So I just work as hard as I can in practice and just try to get ready for when my name is called.”
Murray said he didn’t know if he will start Thursday. To him, “it doesn’t matter” that he hasn’t played in a game in a while and could be thrown back into the mix against the high-scoring Leafs, who lead the NHL with 4.7 goals per game.
“I think it’s a challenge in general,” Murray said. “They’re one of the most dynamic teams that I’ve seen in a long time. They’re firing on all cylinders, so that would be a challenge either way.”
Johnson’s partner du jour
Injuries and at times loose defensive play by the Penguins has meant that Jack Johnson, who signed a five-year contract in July, has gotten a chance to know seemingly all of his new teammates.
Since Saturday, Johnson has been paired with four different defensemen. He was on the ice when Justin Schultz’s ankle was fractured.. He began the game Tuesday with Jamie Oleksiak and finished it with Juuso Riikola. Wednesday, with Riikola taking a “maintenance day,” he skated with Chad Ruhwedel.
Johnson says the shuffling doesn’t bother him. If anything does, it’s probably the constant questions about whoever his partner is or whichever side he is playing on any given day.
“I don’t think any of us really care who we’re playing with,” Johnson said. “I certainly don’t.”
Renovating a local rink
The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation announced Wednesday it is teaming up with Pittsburgh Commercial Construction to provide $100,000 to renovate a local community hockey rink this season.
From now until Nov. 30, fans can nominate a rink in need of a renovation in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington or Westmoreland counties. Nominations can be submitted at www.pittsburghpenguins.com/renovatetherink. Finalists will be selected by Jan. 31, and public online voting will take place Feb. 1-21.
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel.
First Published: October 17, 2018, 6:45 p.m.
