Penguins trending in the right direction according to superstar centre

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/11/2018 (2475 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t looked or played like the powerhouse they’re supposed to be for much of the first quarter of the NHL regular season.

But Sidney Crosby is far from sounding panicked about any of it.

“The last three or four games we’ve been better,” said the star centre following the Pens’ pre-game skate at Bell MTS Place Tuesday. “We’ve been better managing the puck, not hurting ourselves with big mistakes, getting big plays, and that’s what it takes to win. We’ve definitely been trending the right way.

On Dec. 12, 2015, the Penguins were 15-10-3 and languishing in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division when GM Jim Rutherford axed head coach Mike Johnston and replaced him with Mike Sullivan. Sullivan, the club’s current bench boss, went on to guide Pittsburgh to a Stanley Cup title that spring.

With that in mind, Crosby was asked if the example of that Cup run can inspire the current Penguins, who entered Tuesday’s action with a 9-8-5 mark.

“You use different experiences,” said Crosby. “But everything you go through sometimes there’s things that are new, new adversities, things you need to go through sometimes as a group to get better. I don’t think we’re at the same point we necessarily were a few years ago. But when you’re losing a few you’ve got to find ways to build confidence. I think, we found that in our game here the last three or four.”

RED-HOT COMBO: The growing chemistry between veteran Jets centre Bryan Little and young wingers Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor has resulted in a combined 15 goals and 30 points in the almost six games they played as a unit prior to Tuesday’s game against the Pens.

“I think they’ve both grown a lot quickly from a couple of years ago,” explained Little. “I feel like they’ve both matured and for me, Patty’s game is definitely rounding out. They talked about him just being purely a shooter and goal scorer when he came in. Now he’s really worked on the defensive side of the game and the checking part of the game. With both of them, they’re going to continue to get better… in all aspects of their games.”

Maurice believes each player’s unique skill set contributes to something bigger than the sum of its parts.

“What’s worked for those three guys is they are different,” said Maurice. “Kyle Connor’s got extreme speed and he plays a very — I don’t think necessarily readable — but definable game. Bryan Little looks to Kyle and has an 85 to 90 per cent understanding of what’s going to happen with him. For a second-year guy, has learned to get in and get on the puck. I’m not saying he plays a heavy game but he plays so fast, he doesn’t need to be…

“What Patrik was missing in the first chunk of the season and he’s responsible for part of it, was zone time. They just weren’t in the offensive zone enough. Bryan’s capable of doing that… but you can’t do that alone. Kyle has brought that opportunity for offensive zone time because he gets in and gets on it so fast. And at the same time, Patty’s involved in that part. It’s a completely different way of doing it. He doesn’t have Kyle’s speed but he’s certainly big and strong and he can hang on to the puck and that’s something we’re starting to see in the offensive zone. He’s not just going to a shooting hole and waiting for it.”

IN PRAISE OF SID: It’s hard to argue the claim Crosby remains the NHL’s best ambassador. Unfailingly polite, he’s always accomodating with fans and media.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice had his own story to add to the 31-year-old superstar’s impeccable reputation.

“So, my kids aren’t allowed to get autographs — there’s two exceptions to it,” said Maurice. “My son was able to get Darryl Sittler’s autograph in Toronto — it was a big deal — and my daughter, Sydney, has only ever wanted one, right? We had (the Penguins) in here on back-to-back last year and beat them 7-1. She debated and agonized because she understands in the hockey world what a 7-1 loss feels like, sadly (we’ve) been through a few of them, and then did ask him outside the bus.

“He was incredibly gracious and kind to her. I appreciate that greatly. I know what it’s like to go through those. That would be my story. We all turn the TV on and watch. But here in Winnipeg you just got beat 7-1 and you just want to get on the bus and get out of here. I thought that showed an incredible amount of grace on his part.”

OLD FRIENDS: Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler and Pens sniper Phil Kessel go way back.

The two are old buddies from their college days at the University of Minnesota, when Wheeler, a 19-year-old, and a 17-year-old Kessel played together on a squad that went 27-9-5 before being eliminated during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Twelve years later, both are stars in the NHL.

“He’s a brilliant hockey mind,” said Wheeler. “He sees the ice like few guys do. Talking hockey with him, he gets it, you know what I mean? He knows how to be an offensive threat every time he’s out there. From the time I’ve known him, his release is obviously world class.

“He can pretty much score from anywhere. His ability to create when he’s out there is world class. He’s one of the best. He has been throughout his career and it’s always fun talking to him, cheering for him and watching him play live. He’s quite a player.”

 

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14