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Pittsburgh Penguins' Reilly Smith (19) returns to the bench after scoring against the Calgary Flames during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
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Penguins hoping for more from Reilly Smith, who is nearing return to lineup

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Penguins hoping for more from Reilly Smith, who is nearing return to lineup

Reilly Smith on Sunday took the next step in his recovery from an injury to his left arm. For the first time in four weeks, he was a full participant in a team practice.

After the Penguins practiced Sunday afternoon in Cranberry, the veteran forward was twice asked how he felt. Both times Smith, who last played in a game Jan. 11, mentioned it was nice to get away “from the game” over the NHL’s All-Star break.

“It’s obviously nice to have that break. I think everyone in this locker room and everyone in the league is pretty happy to be able to spend a little bit of time away from the game. It’s nice to also be back here,” he said. “We have a short stretch here where we have to play a lot of games and we have to make the most of them.”

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Asked if the time he has spent out of the lineup provided Smith — who has struggled in his first year in Pittsburgh — a chance to reset, he reluctantly replied, “Sure.”

Pittsburgh Penguins new president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas, center, answers a question during a press conference announcing his new role with the team at the PPG Arena on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Downtown.
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He added: “My overall outlook on how the season progresses, it hasn’t changed.”

OK, so if Smith is fired up to be on the verge of returning to NHL action, he certainly didn’t show it in his chat with the local media. But the Penguins really need Smith to be engaged on the ice and producing like he did in the season’s first month.

Smith, acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights last summer, had four goals and seven points in his first nine games then exploded for two goals and two assists in a blowout win in San Jose on Nov. 4. But he was scoreless in the next 15 games, tallying just two assists, and was eventually removed from Evgeni Malkin’s line.

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He didn’t register a point in any of his last six games prior to exiting the lineup.

The Penguins hope that Smith will soon get back to the level of play he displayed back in October, when Malkin and he were a pretty dangerous duo off the rush.

Coach Mike Sullivan labeled Smith as a “game-time decision” for Tuesday’s home game against the Winnipeg Jets. But he added “we’re excited to get him back.”

“Reilly’s obviously a good player and has a real impressive body of work in this league,” he said. “He had a great start to the season and had a stretch there where he wasn’t as productive. Hopefully this will give him an opportunity to come in with a refreshed mind, a refreshed level of energy and a forward-thinking outlook.”

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 6: Jeff Carter #77 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a power-play goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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That will be important for the Penguins, presently five points out of a playoff spot.

“I’m excited for the next couple of months here,” the 32-year-old winger said. “We play a lot of games in a short period of time and it’s an important spot for this group. I think we have to pick up a lot of wins, and that starts with our next game.”

Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and @mattvensel on the website X

First Published: February 5, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: February 5, 2024, 8:09 p.m.

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