1. Detail work
After already enduring ups and downs this season with a four-game winning streak followed by three consecutive losses, the Penguins are going back to the basics. The team is analyzing areas they've had success, and focusing in on their areas of weakness. The 5-0 loss courtesy of the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, exposed the team's building frustrations with their collective energy and effort.
"We just have to find a way to get back and find ourselves a little bit," winger Patric Hornqvist said. "We need to work for each other. Play with more urgency, more energy. They outplayed us last night and they out worked us. That's not acceptable in this team. You know what? We're going to lose some games, but we have to lose the right way. I think if we just get together and work together, I know we're fine."
The Pens pride themselves on executing miniscule details well to collectively build up and create their methodical, yet dynamic system of high-pressure and high-octane play. The simple details of their system include everything from line changes, breakouts, puck pressure, puck movement and playing with speed.
The Pens took the ice at UPMC Lemieux Sport Complex focusing on certain aspects of their game during practice.
"I think we've got to re-associate the work ethic and the details with winning," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "That was part of the practice today, that we get back to basics and that we focus on the process and the details associated with winning. With our team, it starts with skating."
2. Turning the Page
The Pens won't have to wait long to get back into action following the loss to Toronto. Pittsburgh hosts Metropolitan Division opponent New Jersey Monday night as a part of their "Hockey Fights Cancer Night."
"You hate to sit on a loss," defenseman Kris Letang said. "Especially the way we played. You try to go right back at it and try to forget about it."
3. Workflow
Derick Brassard and Phil Kessel were the only players missing from practice.
Brassard is out with a lower-body injury. The forward hasn't played since Oct. 27. Kessel was absent from practice due to maintenance.
The following workflow was used at practice…
Guentzel - Crosby - Simon
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist
Rust - Sheahan - Cullen
Sprong - Grant
Johnson - Letang
Dumoulin - Riikola
Maatta - Oleksiak
Ruhwedel
