1. Malkin accepts responsibility
Pens center Evgeni Malkin hasn't played his best hockey this season. Though his 53 points (14G-39A) in 49 games are nice, his defensive play has left the Russian star with a minus-20 on the year - something he wants to change.
"It's a little bit frustrating for myself, but I understand it's a long season," he said. "I'll look forward. Of course minus-20 is not what I wanted before the season. It's a tough period for me, but I'll be back. I want to play right the next game.
"I know my level. I know I'm a good player. I want my game back."
Malkin is confident in his and his team's ability to turn things around.
"We had a team meeting today and the players talked after the meeting," Malkin said. "Every night we understand that every team wants to beat us. We're a great club, a great team. It's not just skill, we need everything, the small things, too, like blocking shots, and work."
2. League silent on Brassard
Halfway through the second period of last night's 6-3 loss to New Jersey, center Derick Brassard was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing Devils' Sami Vatanen.
Upon replay, it appeared that Brassard did not actually elbow Vatanen, but instead hit him shoulder-to-shoulder. Nonetheless, Vatanen left the game and did not return. He required stiches on his face.
"The game goes 100 miles an hour. I wasn't coming fast at all," Brassard said. "It is what it is. I was trying to get the puck and I turned around and saw he was leaning over. I think his visor cut him in his face. It's a hockey play."
All misconduct penalties are automatically reviewed by the NHL's Player Safety board. However, no one from the league has contacted the Penguins regarding the penalty.
"I didn't hear anything last night or right now," Brassard said. "You trust the process that they're going through, and I hope (Vatanen is) OK."
3. Practice details
Defenseman Jack Johnson, who left last night's game late in the third period, practiced with the team and is "good-to-go," according to head coach Mike Sullivan.
"He's a tough kid. He plays through a lot," Sullivan said. "From that standpoint it doesn't surprise me that Jack practiced today. He responded pretty well. That's certainly encouraging."
The Pens used the following workflow…
Guentzel-Crosby-Simon
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Pearson-Brassard-Hornqvist
Sheahan-Cullen-Wilson
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Riikola
Pettersson-Johnson
(Ruhwedel)
