PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said after the game Tuesday night he hadn't had a chance to see the replay of Bruins Brad Marchand sucker-punching Tristan Jarry. He also hadn't seen when Marchand poked his stick into Jarry's helmet.
Pens practiced Wednesday before knowing what the NHL ruled on discipline, and like Tuesday night, Sullivan was pretty non-committal on the incident.
"Yeah, I saw what happened," Sullivan said Wednesday. "I don't have any thoughts on it. It's in the league's hands. It is what it is."
The cliché of the century to finish it out. When pressed if he was pleased that his team walked away from further confrontation or if would have wanted more from his group.
"We are going to play the game that gives us the best chance to win," Sullivan said. "We are going to play to our strengths. This team is built a certain way and we are going to play to our strengths."
Malkin clears
Sullivan said Evgeni Malkin has tested out of COVID-19 protocol. He was scheduled to skate with Teddy Blueger and Pens Skating and Skills Development Coach Ty Hennes Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Given the border restrictions, it's unlikely Malkin would play Thursday, but is a possibility for Sunday at New Jersey.
Murray matchup
Likely Ottawa will start Matt Murray in goal Thursday night. The former Penguin two-time champion had a rough start to the season and was demoted to the minors. It appears he's starting to find it. Since his return he gave up more than three goals once in seven games. In his last four starts against Buffalo, Carolina, Edmonton and the Devils, Murray has given up five total goals making 128 saves on 133 shots.
"Obviously we have a lot of respect for Matt, how capable he is," Sullivan said. "He's a real solid goaltender, was a huge part of the Stanley Cup's that we enjoyed here during Matt's time here. He knows our guys. Our guys know him. I'm not sure anybody has an advantage in that one."
Murray has 117 career wins for the Pens and has never played against them.
Sens serious
While still a distance from qualifying for the post-season, Ottawa is on a bit of a roll. Sens beat first place Carolina Tuesday and got points in their previous matchup with the Hurricanes and Washington. Ottawa also had a furious comeback against the Pens in January. Trailing 5-1, Sens scored three early in the third period and it wasn't sealed until a Jake Guentzel empty net goal.
"I think they are a good young team and are getting better with every game that they play," Sullivan said. "They play with a lot of energy, enthusiasm. They have a lot of good, young players. They are a hungry team and every time we play those guys it's a battle. That's what we would expect."
Sens have seven players with over 20 points and Josh Norris leads Ottawa with 18 goals.
