Musings: PIT 4, BUF 1 (Preseason Game 1)

The Penguins opened their shortened preseason slate with a 4-1 win over Buffalo on Monday at PPG Paints Arena.

Bryan Rust had a three-point night for Pittsburgh, scoring a goal and earning primary assists on two others.

“I think in a situation like this, it's try to lead by example,” Rust said. “Obviously, I might be in a different situation than some of the other guys in the room, but I don't think that changes the way that I should play or how we should handle the situation. I'm still trying to be ready for the season.”

Head Coach Dan Muse lauded the play of the seven-time 20-goal scorer, along with performances from other veterans like Connor Dewar – who also got in the goal column – and Kris Letang. Elmer Soderblom rounded out the scoring.

“I thought they did a good job of helping to set the tone,” Muse said. “I think everybody, you could feel it, the fact that there's only four exhibition games. I think there was more of that sense of urgency to get to our game, to find our game, work at the details and structure within the game.

“There's no perfect games, ever. Definitely not in your first exhibition game. But I think led by those veteran players, they definitely set the tone that we can't be wasting a minute, we can't be wasting a second. We got to make sure that we're taking full advantage of each of these opportunities.”

Here are some more observations and updates...

KINDEL LEAVES DUE TO INJURY

It’s been a tough day on the injury front for Pittsburgh. In the morning, the Penguins announced that Blake Lizotte (upper body) and Oliver Okuliar (lower body) were both week-to-week with their respective injuries.

Later, Ben Kindel sustained a lower-body injury in the second period of the matchup with Buffalo and did not return. Muse had no update following the game, saying that Kindel was being evaluated and that the team would provide information when they had it.

Kindel put together a terrific first period, playing a dominant 200-foot game and showing chemistry with linemates Andrei Kuzmenko and Rust. They were creating a lot offensively, which was fun to watch.

After Kindel left, Tristan Broz slotted in his spot. Broz, who made his NHL debut last season, had unfortunate timing with injuries, which kept him from seeing any more time in Pittsburgh. Instead of returning to his home state of Minnesota, Broz stayed here all summer to put himself in the best position possible for the season.

“You could tell he's a really good hockey player,” Rust said. “Thinks the game at a high level. Makes really good plays out there. I think the more he gets comfortable, and the better he's going to be.”

HAYES WITH ANOTHER BIG NIGHT AGAINST BUFFALO

Avery Hayes is one of the up-and-coming young players that’s fighting for more time in Pittsburgh after scoring five goals in 16 appearances last season. He stood out tonight with a beautiful goal right before the buzzer sounded to end the second period.

“(It was) the goal and the time of the goal, too,” Muse said. “I think even within that sequence, though, you saw him getting in on the hunt, getting on the forecheck. That's a big part of his game, and obviously, it's nice when it results in a goal like that.

“But I think that kind of just tenacious, puck-pressure, never-quit player - like, that's when he's at his best. I think it's just continuing to work to find where those moments are where he can impact the game. He's got a great shot. He obviously showed it there tonight.”

GOALIE SPLIT

Last year’s WBS goalie tandem split this game, with Sergei Murashov stopping all 13 shots he faced and Joel Blomqvist turning aside 10 of 11.

“I thought they played well,” Muse said. “I mean, it was one of those games where I feel like it came in waves for them a little bit. They might have the puck a little bit more, and they weren't seeing much, and then they would get to see some action. Some significant action there around the net, they saw traffic. I thought both guys played well. I thought both guys competed hard. They battled, so good job by the both of them.”