CRANBERRY TWP. (93.7 The Fan) – Pens goalie Tristan Jarry skated again before Wednesday’ practice and then joined the team’s optional workout before Game 5 tonight in New York City. That’s the first time Jarry has participated in team activities since he broke his foot last month. That makes three consecutive days of on-ice work and four of the last five.
Head coach Mike Sullivan called the practice today ‘a big jump’ and said that Jarry is now day-to-day.
Rickard Rakell skated again this morning as part of an optional morning skate and he remains day-to-day. Defenseman Brian Dumoulin has yet to skate, but Sullivan said he is making progress.
The Pens to participate in the morning workout include those who didn’t go Tuesday-Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter, Chad Ruhwedel, Mark Friedman along with Rakell, Jarry, Drew O’Connor, Marcus Pettersson, Nathan Beaulieu and Alex D’Orio.
Kapanen awakens
Pens forward Kasperi Kapanen was at least able to have a sense of humor about his struggles this season.
“I’m happy I showed up at some point this season, better late than never,” Kapanen quipped Tuesday.
On the final year before he becomes a restricted free agent, much was expected of Kapanen this season. Evgeni Malkin out to start the year, the hope was Kapanen could build on some positives from the 2020-21 season. The 25-year-old would have four assists in the first five games. However, scoring was a big issue.
He would finish with 11 goals all season, three in one game. Kapanen had a stretch from January 23 until March 19 without a goal and during a stretch of 13 games in that span, no points at all.
Then there were the healthy scratches, including one in Philadelphia with his former Flyers father visiting from Finland.
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t (tick) me off or upset me,” Kapanen said. “You always want to play every game. It was just a bit of a struggle all year, but that’s in the past. These last four games I feel like I’ve gotten back in my groove and gotten some confidence and I think it shows. I got to stay positive, it’s the best time of year right now.”
How has he done it?
“I think it’s keeping things simple,” Kapanen said. “I feel like on the forecheck I’m trying to be aggressive and using my body and making hits. Shooting the puck more, I’ve been shooting more these past four games than I did in 40 games this season. Just keep doing that, using my speed and competing. Just got to keep at it.”
“I think Kappy’s played his best hockey of the year here in the playoffs,” said Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan. “He needs to stay in the moment and take each game, each shift as it comes and play the game the right way. Focus on the process, focus on the details. Do your job when you don’t have the puck and trust your instincts when you have it. The biggest thing that jumps out at me, he’s utilizing his speed a number of different ways-both with the puck and without the puck.”
Not known for these traits, Kapanen has also embraced physical play. Doing so through his forecheck and forcing turnovers. Sullivan said he’s also using his straight line and wide speed to help the team gain a 3-1 series lead.
“He’s been playing really well,” said defenseman Kris Letang. “The puck didn’t go in the net yet, but he’s playing really well. He plays with tons of speed. He creates so much for players around him. It’s key for a guy like Kappy that wants to do well and has to bring intensity every shift he plays.”
Optional game-day skate
The Pens to participate in the morning workout include those who didn’t go Tuesday-Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter, Chad Ruhwedel, Mark Friedman along with Rickard Rakell, Drew O’Connor, Marcus Pettersson, Nathan Beaulieu and Alex D’Orio.
Goalie Tristan Jarry skated again before practice, that makes three consecutive days of on-ice work and four of the last five.
Winningest coach
It’s a list that includes Scotty Bowman, Eddie Johnston, Herb Brooks, Bob Johnson and with the win on Monday Mike Sullivan passed Dan Bylsma for most playoff wins in Penguins history with 44.
“I don’t give a lot of thought to that stuff right now because we are immersed in the moment right now,” Sullivan said. “The opportunity to coach this team has been an honor and a privilege. I don’t take a single day for granted. It’s the honor of a lifetime. I love to compete with these guys every day.”
“What he demands from us,” said defenseman Kris Letang on what makes Sullivan successful. “You want to win in this league consistently, you need to demand a lot from your players, from your leaders. The drive he brings every day to push us to get better, I think that’s his best attribute.”