PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens opened exhibition play five days after the start of training camp. A sloppy 3-0 loss to Columbus at PPG Paints Arena. Blue Jackets blocked 19 of the 40 shots the Pens attempted. Home team also 0-5 on the power play.
"You have to earn it every day," said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. "We are going to put the roster on the ice that has the best chance to win. There is opportunity here at all positions. We are looking for guys that can step up. Can fill roles for us and help this team win hockey games.
Poulin missing
Forward prospect Sam Poulin didn't miss the game, however he is missing a tooth. The 20-year-old had a left front tooth knocked out in practice on Sunday and played for the first time minus a digit Monday.
"I think I played well," Poulin said finishing with two shots, two hits and a minus two. "We had a good line. I think the performance of our team tonight didn't reflect on the score that much."
In two years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the left-handed shot had 61 goals and 92 assists in 113 games.
Legare Impresses
Winger Nathan Legare second on the team with three shots on goal and shared the team lead with three hits.
"I think Nathan had a pretty good game," Sullivan said. "I think his pace has picked up. He tracked on the back check a couple of times, caught guys from behind. He's picked up a step or two based on the last time he was here."
"He can really shoot the puck. He's a competitive guy. He's not afraid to get involved physically. He gets his nose over pucks. He plays in the battle areas. He had a couple of scoring chances. I thought he did a lot of nice things out there."
"My goal is just to bring my game every night," the 20-year-old Legare said. "Play my way. Don't try to do too much. I think that's what the Pens organization wants me to do. I think if I do that every night. It will be good for me. It puts odds on my side."
New Goalie
The 22-year-old goalie Filip Lindberg made his NHL exhibition debut after signing out of UMass in the off-season. He stopped 12 of 13 shots.
"It was super nice," Lindberg said. "I had a lot of fun. I felt good out there. I'm excited about the next opportunity."
"I think everything happens really quick here. They guys move faster, shoot faster. I played D-1 that's pretty fast too. Obviously faster and quicker here."
Up Next
Pens play their first road exhibition game Friday night at 7p in Buffalo.
