Kapanen Confident He'll Break Through

Through four games, Kasperi Kapanen is still looking for his first goal of the season. But both he and Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan are confident that the chances will start to fall.

"I think Kappy's a real good player," Sullivan said. "I thought he had a really good training camp, and I think he's had moments throughout the course of the first four games when he's been a real threat. I think he can be a more consistent threat. Him and I had a discussion today on specifically how that could happen."
While Sullivan declined to get into the details of what they talked about, he did say that they believe if Kapanen continues to focus on just trying to play the game the right way, then he'll get rewarded.
"He's certainly a guy that we're very confident is going to score goals for us," Sullivan said.
The 25-year-old winger has certainly shown he's capable of filling the back of the net, hitting double digits in each of last three seasons, including a career-high 20 goals with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19.
And Sullivan feels like Kapanen has another gear to his game, exhibiting "tough love" at times - both during last season, his first with the organization after being acquired from Toronto, and into the summer - because of the young forward's potential.
"I told him I think he has the potential to be an elite player in this league. I truly believe that," Sullivan said. "I've told him that on a number of occasions, and I'm going to do everything I can to help him get there. Sometimes that means tough love for Kappy, but it's not because we don't think highly of him, but the opposite - we think so highly of him.
"I think he has an elite game, and I think there's untapped potential, so much room for growth in his game. There isn't any aspect of the game that Kappy can't excel at, in my opinion. He's got explosive speed. He's got good size, he's strong, he can make plays. My hope is that I can push him to get to another level. We're going to push him hard, because we think he's capable."
Kapanen took Sullivan's words to heart, and really pushed himself during the offseason.
"I think it's just more of me trying to be the best player I possibly can, day in and day out," Kapanen said. "Not necessarily even on the ice, but off the ice. I'm in the best shape of my life right now. (Sullivan) and the strength guys have been on me this summer, and I was here quite a bit for the summer, just trying to prepare for this season. I feel amazing. Sometimes when I get sloppy, or when I'm not at my best, he's going to let me know. And I think that's the way a coach should be."

Although Kapanen was hoping for a better start to the season, he feels like the opportunities are there. He's tallied nine shots through four games, the most of any Penguin without a goal, and has recorded two assists.
Eventually, he feels the shots will start to hit the back of the net for him.
"Obviously you want to score as many goals as possible right off the hop, but I'd be more worried if I didn't have chances," Kapanen said. "I've had a lot of those, but right now it's hitting sticks, or it's hitting posts or I barely miss the net. It's frustrating, but it's only four games into the season. I've got plenty of time. What better night to get my first one than tomorrow?"
Playing his former team may be just the boost Kapanen needs, as the Penguins host the Maple Leafs at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday.