"The numbers certainly lend to that conclusion," Cole said, chuckling. "But the team's playing better. I'm just trying to keep up with those guys."
Cole underestimates.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound defenseman can, literally, be an impact player: Witness 60 hits in 41 games. He's a veteran of 49 playoff games over the past two springs, post-seasons that produced two Stanley Cups.
Once in a while, Cole even scores.
Cole's slick short-side wrist shot beat ex-Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury at 17:24 of the second period Monday, knotting the game at 2-2. The Penguins went on to beat the Vegas Golden Knights, 5-4, at PPG Paints Arena.
It was Cole's third goal of the year. Two have come against Fleury.
"I can't explain [that]," Cole said. "It's just one of those things. You try to take advantage of the opportunities you get.
"He's a great goaltender. You're trying to shoot around screens, and shoot around bodies. If he can see it, he'll save it."
Despite his glittering stats, Cole doesn't necessarily feel his game is on a different level since returning to the lineup.
"The team's certainly playing a lot better," said Cole, 29. "Could I have played better earlier in the year? Yeah. Could I play better now? Yeah. Absolutely. Every time I play, you can find things wrong with it if you want to.
"As a professional, you just try to go out there and play the best you can in any situation. Show people you belong out there. But that's not unique to just my situation."
Cole's return to the lineup has been highlighted by his partnership with Jamie Oleksiak, who joined the Penguins via a Dec. 19 trade with Dallas.
"It's been going well," Cole said. "You try to make yourself be a good partner. You try to talk to your partner, and help guys through certain situations.
"He's a great hockey player. He communicates well, and I trust him and listen to him. We're certainly [developing] some good chemistry."
Cole has played 41 games this season, posting three goals, eight assists and a minus-3 mark. Cole has 84 blocked shots, ranking him second on the Penguins.
Coach Mike Sullivan seems pleased with Cole's play since putting him back in the lineup.
"We think his game has been very good since he's been back. That's why he's in the lineup.
"[Cole] is a real solid player when he plays within himself, when he's got a little edge to his game, when he keeps his decision-making with the puck simple and smart and calculated. I think he can be a very effective defenseman for us and has been for a number of years for us."
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
