3 Things: Dumoulin streaks and Brassard adjusts

Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the Pens' Wednesday practice…

1. Streaking
Sure, sure, a 4-game scoring streak isn't a big deal on a team that sports players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. But for a player like Brian Dumoulin - a stay-at-home defenseman who scores points at a premium - a 4-game scoring streak is a career high.
Dumoulin has one goal and four points over his past four contests. But don't expect him to lobby the coaching staff for power-play time due to his recently found offensive flair.
"No, no," he said with a smile. "I don't think so."
Dumoulin scored his career-high 4th goal of the season in Columbus on Feb. 18. Since then he's posted 1 assist in each of the past 3 games. Dumoulin's latest assist came on Crosby's 21st goal Tuesday night against New Jersey. On the play, Dumoulin took a shot on goal and Crosby deposited the rebound. And that's been a running theme.
"One thing I've been trying to get better at is shooting the puck," Dumoulin said. "Playing with Letang, he always wants the puck. Sometimes I have to keep them honest and shoot the puck also."
Offense aside, Dumoulin has been getting the job done defensively. While his defensive partner, Letang, is still the minutes king with the Pens at 25:17 per game, Dumoulin ranks 2nd among blueliners with 20:38 (3rd overall behind only Letang and Crosby).
"When I come off the ice I couldn't tell you if I played 18 or 25 (minutes)," he said. "I really have no idea. A lot depends on special teams, but we're confident in all six of us. We know we can get the job done."
And while Dumoulin knows defense is his No. 1 priority, he'll take the extra offensive success anytime.
"It's nice to see pucks are going in," Dumoulin said. "We lost the last two (games). I'd rather take wins than points, but it's good. I think I'm getting more pucks to the net and with that, more things are happening."
Wins over points. Spoken like a true defensive defenseman.
2. Adjustment
Newly acquired Derick Brassard made his Pens' debut Tuesday night against the Devils, skating alongside Jake Guentzel and Phil Kessel.
On Wednesday he made his practice debut.
"It's fun to be out there and see how those guys work everyday," he said. "It's just going to take time to adjust to everything. It's been really good for me."
Brassard, 30, will be adjusting to a lot of new things with the Pens: new teammates; new tendencies; new system; new location. The adjustment isn't going to happen in one game, although Brassard wishes it would.
"I know it's a process. Everyday I'm going to try to get better," he said. "I know I have another gear. It's a matter of getting a few touches, a few practices, a few games and I'll get there."
Brassard isn't rushing the process. The coaching staff is trying to not overwhelm him. They want to feed him a little bit of information at a time, but mostly want him to trust his instincts.
"At the end of the day you just have to go out there and play hockey and make plays," Brassard said. "That's what (the coaches) told me before the game. I just have to go out there, have fun and enjoy the moment."
3. Injuries and workflow
Goaltender Matt Murray continues to recovery from a diagnosed concussion. Meanwhile, two other players were absent from Wednesday's on-ice session.
Zach Aston-Reese suffered an upper-body injury during Monday's practice. He was scratched from Tuesday's contest with the injury. Aston-Reese also missed today's practice and his injury will keep him out "longer term," according to head coach Mike Sullivan.
Phil Kessel was given a maintenance day. He also used Monday as a maintenance day, but suited up for Tuesday's action. Kessel is expected to play Thursday in Boston.
The Pens used the following workflow..
Guetnzel-Crosby-Rust
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Brassard-(Recchi)
Kuhnhackl-Sheahan-Rowney
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Schultz
Hunwick-Oleksiak
(Gonchar)-Ruhwedel