3 Things: Dumoulin update, Saves MATTer and more
1. Dumoulin update
Defenseman Brian Dumoulin rejoined the team for full-contact practice for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury in the team's final preseason game in Columbus last Friday.
Dumoulin will be a game-time decision for the Pens' season opener on Thursday night against defending Stanley Cup champion Washington at PPG Paints Arena.
"I have to do a couple of clearances from the doctor and (head coach Mike Sullivan)," Dumoulin said. "I think it's a game-time decision now. It was good to practice out there and have a full-practice, full contact."
Dumoulin skated Tuesday and Wednesday morning on his own. He began the full team practice session Wednesday wearing a grey "non-contact" jersey. Early on in the practice he switched to a regular contact jersey.
"He felt strong enough very early in the practice to go to full contact," Sullivan said. "He had a strong practice. I spoke to him after practice. He felt really good. We'll see how he responds over night."
Dumoulin participated in his usual workload at practice, which included working with defensive partner Kris Letang in rushes and zone work, and also penalty kill responsibilities.
"Feeling pretty good," Dumoulin said. "It's good to have those couple of days in between games to fully recover and get back with the team."
2. Murray gives back
Goaltender Matt Murray launched a new charity - "Saves MATTer" - for the 2018-19 season. Murray will donate $30 for each save he makes during the regular season to various youth-based charities in Pittsburgh and his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
"It's been in the works for a while now," Murray said. "The team has ben working hard getting it ready."
The $30 collected from each save will be split with $15 going to the Ward Home in Pittsburgh and the other $15 split between two charities in Thunder Bay - Children's Aid Services and Dilico.
The Penguins have been heavily involved in orchestrating the foundation. Murray even credited one of the team's communications interns - Hannah O'Toole - for coining the name Saves MATTer.
Murray made 1,290 saves during the 2017-18 season, which would have contributed $38,700 for the year.
"It's something that I need to do," Murray said. "I feel fortunate to be in a circumstance where I can do something like that. I'm pretty excited about it."
3. Practice notes
With goaltender Tristan Jarry being designated as Injured Non-Roster, the team has reached its 23-man quota for the start of the regular season. And judging by the line combinations and defensive pairings, we get a sneak peak at the team's opening night setup.
* The Pens used the following workflow…
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel
Simon-Brassard-Rust
Cullen-Sheahan-Sprong
(Grant)
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Johnson
Oleksiak-Schultz
(Riikola-Ruhwedel)
* Kris Letang and Justin Schultz rotated on the power-play units. The rest of the makeup looked as so…
PP1: Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Hornqvist
PP2: Johnson, Brassard, Sprong, Guentzel
