Inside Scoop: Pens-Sens
ONE SHIFT
The Pens' struggles continued following a 4-3 setback to Tampa Bay on Thursday night that dropped the club's record to 1-6-1 in their past eight games.
Still, one player fully believes the team will turn it around. And it will happen tonight in a matter of seconds.
"We have a good team, we have a good group, we believe in ourselves," said winger Patric Hornqvist, who had two goals against the Lightning. "That's the key. One shift is going to turn the season around for us. And that's going to happen here in Ottawa."
Hornqvist made the statement following Thursday's loss to Tampa. It dropped Pittsburgh to 7-7-3 on the season, and last place in the Eastern Conference. The Pens found themselves in a similar situation in December of the 2015-16 season. And we all know how that season ended.
"We've been through a lot," Hornqvist said. "Half of the team was probably here three years ago when we got the coaching change and we were not even in the playoff picture."
BRASS TAX
Center Derick Brassard said that he will be returning to the lineup tonight after missing nine games with a lower-body injury.
"I'll be in the lineup tonight," Brassard said following the morning skate. "It's been a long three weeks. It's pretty tough to be out and see the team struggling and not winning games. I'm just going to try to come in and help."
Brassard was asked what he'd like to do early in the game to make sure the injury is healed. From his answer, it sounds like he'll be skating on a line with Phil Kessel.
"Get a couple strides, touch the puck a few times," Brassard said. "I only had one practice with the team. I did a lot of practice with the skills coach, but there is nothing like playing in a real game situation. I'm just going to try to skate, keep everything simple and give the puck to Phil as much as I can."
It's also fitting that Brassard would return to face his former Ottawa team for the first time since being traded to Pittsburgh last season.
"It's always special to come back and play here or play in Montreal," said the Quebec native. "It's always weird to come back and play your friends, former team. You just have to put everything aside and just focus on playing."
400
Pens head coach Mike Sullivan will be coaching in his 400th career game as a bench boss in the NHL tonight. Sullivan, who had his first head coaching job with Boston in 2003, has a career record of 207-129-47-16, which includes a 137-73-25 mark with Pittsburgh.
"I'm very different today than I was before my first coaching experience," he said. "I think we all learn through our experiences. I tried to stay true to myself through this whole process. I tried to be straightforward and honest with all of our players, and be respectful at the same time.
"I don't take a single day for granted. I'm so appreciative of the opportunities that I've been given. It's a privilege to coach in this league. There are a lot of really good coaches out there."
