CRANBERRY TWP, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Sullivan used the word volatile when describing the pre-All-Star Break part of the Penguins season. He knows they haven't been consistent, but still believes in this group and thinks a little time away is just what they needed.
"This is a great opportunity to hit the reset button and start fresh," Sullivan said as the team resumed on-ice work Sunday. "I think it's a great opportunity for us. I think there was great energy in the practice today. I think guys were excited to get back at it. I think guys are excited about the opportunity in front of us. As we always say to these guys nothing is inevitable in this game, we have to earn it every night."
"It's good for everyone," DeSmith said of the break and now resuming. "Maybe we were limping a little bit going into the break. Come back hungry to work, that's the mindset going in."
"I think everybody looks at it like we are in a position where we still got it in our hands," said Pens defenseman Marcus Pettersson. "Take what is good before the break and put the bad things aside and have a fresh start. We can see the finish line. Take it day-by-day, each and every day, we can't change what happened before good or bad. Hit the reset button and go from here."
Pens went into the break losers of three of four with the lone win coming in overtime. They currently sit in the eight and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with at least one game in hand on all the teams behind them. The 'second half' begins against defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Tuesday night at home.
"We have to find ways to bring a more consistent game to the table, game in and game out, period in and period out," Sullivan said. "We've fallen victim of that a number of different ways throughout the course of the year. It's incumbent upon all of us that are inside that locker room to make it happen."
Sullivan admitted that lack of consistency is not just from a lack of execution, but from a lack of effort at times. He believes that begins in practice and the team is scheduled to hold a practice every day this week, three of them will be morning skates, but he believes change begins in organized workouts. It's building the right habits which will lead to the consistency they desire.
"One of the things we said on the ice before the practice started that this is a great opportunity for us to hit the reset button," Sullivan said. "We still have the ability to influence our pathway moving forward."
"For sure, we played that way and from years past, we know for sure we got it here in this group," Pettersson said. "We have confidence in here."
"You look over the first half of the season, we have bits and spurts of who we are," said forward Ryan Phoehling. "I think if we can just remind ourselves of who we are. If everyone buys into that process over the next 35 games or so, I think we will be happy with the results."
Injury updates
Goalie Tristan Jarry skated with goaltending coach Andy Chiodo before practice on Sunday. GM Ron Hextall does not expect him out very long, he is day-to-day.
Defenseman Jan Rutta skated with assistant coach Ty Hennes. He is not eligible to come off long-term injured reserve until the middle of February.
Forward Kasperi Kapanen skated on the third line going through a full practice with Jeff Carter centering and McGinn on the other wing. He will be a game-time decision against Colorado.
Forward Josh Archibald skated full on the fourth line with Teddy Blueger and Poehling. Out since December 18, he is also a game-time decision against the Avs.
