PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was January of 2015 when Columbus last won in Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets, while playing better recently, are coming off a pair of losses over the weekend as they face Tristan Jarry in net with Jake Guentzel in the lineup after missing practice Monday.
It’s an opportunity to get two big points, as long as the Pens remain focused.
“Staying in the moment, the importance of that this time of year and not getting ahead of ourselves,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “Regardless of who we play on a given night it’s an opportunity to grab points in the standings and solidify a playoff spot and that’s our number one objective right now. They have to do that, the strategy to do that is to stay in the moment and not get ahead of ourselves and maximize the opportunity that is in front of us.”
“I think they, regardless of their record, have a lot of skilled players that are dangerous to play against,” said Pens forward Drew O’Connor. “You got to be hard against those guys. There’s a lot of ways they can beat you with their skill. I think it’s being hard to play against and see where that takes us.”
Over the last month, the Blue Jackets have wins against Edmonton, Buffalo, Winnipeg and Toronto. Johnny Gaudreau leads with 55 points (15 goals) with Patrik Laine and Boone Jenner each with 19 goals.
“They have some gamebreakers, their power play can be really dangerous,” Sullivan said. “Laine is as good a one-time threat as there is in the league. Gaudreau is as good a power play guy on the flank as there is in the league.”
“I think there is so much parody in this league regardless of where people sit in the standings. Every night is a battle. Every team has good players. Every team is well coached. It’s really more about trying to bring a certain game, in looking at ourselves, that sets our team up for success and dictate the terms out there.”
First game
It will be the first Pens game for 32-year-old defenseman Dmitry Kulikov after the trade with Anaheim. He’s expected to be paired with Jan Rutta against Columbus.
“Anxious to get going and start the game,” Kulikov said Tuesday morning. “I’m sure there is going to be some emotions and feelings, but most of the time they go away when you step on the ice and start playing.”
Sullivan praised the consistency of Kulikov’s game and that he’s played against teams’ top lines in his previous stops. He’s seen a lot in his career and believes that should make for a quick transition.
“I feel like there is not much new information because a lot of the teams have the same systems and I’m familiar with a lot of them because I played for a few teams,” Kulikov said. “Going out and skating and practicing (Monday) helped. I ran through some drills, breakouts and calls that we are making on the ice. Talk on the ice is important and helping each other out.”
Bonino back
First game back for Nick Bonino as a Penguin since the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017. Drew O’Connor was in high school then and getting a crash course about his new teammate.
“He’s a funny guy,” O’Connor said. “I don’t know a ton about him, hadn’t met him before. Obviously, he’s had success here in the past with those two Cups. He’s a good guy to have around. I think he brings a good presence to the locker room.”
“For me I try to play the same way all year,” Bonino said of the return. “I feel comfortable with the position the Penguins are in and will do anything to help.”