Since the Penguins lost Game 4 – and fairly convincingly at that – there seems to be a feeling around Pittsburgh that the Pens are going into Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena trailing the Islanders, rather than being tied, 2 games to 2.
With that in mind, maybe you're wondering if Mike Sullivan plans any changes – to the line-up or otherwise. Part of that question was answered at the morning skate when Sullivan employed the same forward lines and defensive pairings that he used in Games 3 and 4.
Really what would you have him do? Replace Marcus Pettersson on left D with either Chad Ruhwedel or Mark Friedman, both right-handed shooters? Re-insert Evan Rodrigues into the line-up in place of whom, Freddie Gaudreau? Gaudreau is their second leading scorer with a goal and 2 assists. Jason Zucker? He has taken quite a bit of heat but even he has scored a goal.
Something I would consider is re-uniting Jeff Carter and Jared McCann with Kasperi Kapanen, a line that clicked in Evgeni Malkin's absence but we're more likely to see McCann bumped up with Malkin and Kapanen.
The real nuclear option – only if Malkin's knee is really an issue – would be to sit Malkin altogether but it's tough to imagine that happening.
After all, the series is tied and the Penguins have 2 of the potentially 3 games left in the series left on home ice which has been kind to them all season, well except when Tristan Jarry allowed all those soft goals.
McCann thinks it's about taking the Islanders game to them.
"I think we've got to get a harder forecheck," McCann says. "We've got to put a lot more pressure on their D and I feel like we can get a lot more pucks to the net and fight for net front."
That would be more than fine with the head coach. "I think the forecheck is an important part of our identity," Sullivan agrees. "That's when our team is at its best, when we're playing on our toes and anticipating and making good decisions with puck between the blue lines that's when our team is at its best."
So, do not expect any changes with the Penguins personnel in Game 5 but how Sullivan uses his personnel at home will be key. He can dictate the lines.
Even though he is often loathe to seek match-up advantages, Sullivan needs to avoid disadvantages.
It's not so much making sure the Crosby line isn't out there against the Cizikas line, but making sure that Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust don't take a beating from NYI defensemen Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock.
If Sullivan doesn't at least try to exploit the last change then Pittsburgh fans could find themselves actually trailing in the series instead of it just seeming that way.
