Kessel prefers Stanley Cup for Penguins to scoring title

CRANBERRY, Pa. --Phil Kessel isn't concerned with being in striking distance of the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL's leading scorer.
"I got two Cups," the Pittsburgh Penguins forward said Friday. "It doesn't really matter then."

Kessel, who has 66 points (24 goals, 42 assists) in 59 games, is 10 points behind Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov for the NHL lead. In his third season with Pittsburgh, he is two goals from his single-season high with the Penguins (26 in 2015-16) and four points behind his 70 last season.
Kessel said he's solely focused on Penguins success entering a game against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV).
As Kessel succinctly pointed out, he has won the Stanley Cup in each of his first two seasons with the Penguins, who this season trail the Washington Capitals by three points for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
"I think we've kind of found our game," Kessel said. "We're playing good hockey. … There are some ups and downs, but I think all together, [the season has] been pretty good. We're starting to win now, so hopefully we can keep this momentum going and make the playoffs."
That team-first mentality isn't reserved for how Kessel treats games. Though he can come off as reserved in public, the Penguins and coach Mike Sullivan routinely credit Kessel's comedic personality for keeping the locker room light.
"I think his teammates really like him," Sullivan said. "He's a fun guy. He's a fun guy to be around. He's got a great sense of humor. I've got to know him a lot better as the years have gone on here that we've worked together. I've really grown to admire and appreciate his personality.
"I don't think he takes anything too seriously, most importantly himself."
Even if Kessel won't admit it, he has played a large role in Pittsburgh's rejuvenated offense. Despite being moved from second-line right wing to third-line right wing multiple times, Kessel has consistently produced.

Just not in the way you would think. Though he possesses a heavy shot, Kessel has relied on his play-making skills this season. He is second on the Penguins with 42 assists, five behind center Sidney Crosby and eight ahead of center Evgeni Malkin.
"I think I've always looked at myself as trying to do the best play," Kessel said, "and this year, it seems like the best play a lot of the time is a pass. … I really don't change much. I do the same stuff and kind of go to the same spots. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't."
Kessel, Crosby and Malkin are tied with 66 points each. Malkin leads Pittsburgh with 32 goals, eight more than Kessel and 13 more than Crosby.
They've mostly played on three different lines with Crosby centering the first, Malkin centering the second and Kessel playing wing on the third.
"We're just trying to produce and win games," Crosby said. "That's my mindset. … I think if we're contributing, then that's good for our team."
Crosby (2006-07, 2013-14) and Malkin (2008-09, 2011-12) each won the scoring title twice. Kessel finished as high as sixth, to Crosby in 2013-14 and to Malkin in 2011-12, with the Maple Leafs.
Kessel wouldn't admit to any friendly competition between the three.
"Definitely not," he said. "We're all good buddies here and we don't really care about that. We're here to win. So that's the main goal."
In fact, Kessel said he feels fortunate to play with Crosby and Malkin. They remain the center of attention, and he stays in the background.
Just how he wants it.
"It's nice," Kessel said. "I don't have to talk every day. … I can just do my thing. I like that."