CRANBERRY TWP., PA (93.7 The Fan) – Knocked out of the lineup by Winnipeg’s Brenden Dillon on February 6 with a concussion, Pens bottom six forward Noel Acciari could return Thursday. Mike Sullivan said he is a game-time decision and believes he brings those intangible and detail things this team needs right now.
“He’s a warrior,” Sullivan said. “He’s the ultimate competitor. He blocks shots. He helps us on the penalty kill. He helps us in the faceoff circle. He brings a gritty element to our lineup that I think can be contagious with our group.”
Acciari isn’t bringing scoring, three goals and one assist in 39 games, but Sullivan outlined what he can add especially to a bottom six group that has been inconsistent at best. He has 92 hits in just under a half a season of games played. A 55% faceoff win rate while playing responsible hockey of 15 takeaways to only three giveaways.
“I think he’s been a big part of us being more difficult to play against,” Sullivan said. “He’s been a huge part of the penalty kill success that we’ve had this year. We use him in so many important situations. I think just his shear competitiveness and just the grit that he brings to our lineup every night is something that makes us a better team.”
The 32-year-old said he’s excited to get back with his teammates. He skated full during practice on Wednesday and says he is full go if he would return against Montreal.
“It’s tough for me wanting to be out there with them,” Acciari said. “Watching is tough, seeing how hard these guys are working. How bad we want it. It’s just not going our way right now. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team succeed.”
As for the hit itself, Acciari said he didn’t see Dillon coming. He kinda popped up behind Jeff Carter and caught him by surprise. The veteran then dropped the cliché of ‘it is what it is’.
Acciari said he got a text message from Dillion, who got a three-game suspension, but he considers the whole thing over with. He just wants to try and get this team back on the right track.