Sullivan proves Pens’ best bet
The Pittsburgh Penguins looked like they needed a day off. Maybe more than one, too.
And yet there were the defending Stanley Cup champions on Tuesday morning, dressed and skating barely 12 hours removed from a listless Game 6 loss to Washington that put Pittsburgh’s bid for a repeat in serious peril.
The Penguins weren’t there to get loose. They weren’t there as punishment. Mike Sullivan had a point to make. Several actually. And the coach that owner Mario Lemieux hired nearly 18 months ago to be the voice that cut through the noise figured it was time to remind his players of a few things.
Namely, to stop being passive bystanders while the Capitals attacked and attacked some more. So for more than half an hour Sullivan zipped around the ice, whistle at the ready. Intermittently he’d call his players together so he could loudly, and repeatedly, make a point, his thick Boston accent ping-ponging off the walls and over the din.
“There’s times where you need rest, there’s time where you’ve got to work on some things and try and get better,” forward Bryan Rust said. “And that was our goal (Tuesday) and we accomplished it.”
The proof came in Game 7 on Wednesday night, a clinical 2-0 victory over the Capitals that sent Pittsburgh to the Eastern Conference finals against Ottawa. While Sullivan deflected any praise in the aftermath, the Penguins understand their ability to summon their best when they absolutely need it is due in no small part to the former Bruins coach with the immaculate suits, blunt demeanor and knack for saying the right thing at the right time.
“Xs and Os, he’s one of the very best coaches I’ve played for,” said 40-yearold forward Matt Cullen. “(As for) motivation, he does a heck of a job. He’s got a real feel for the pulse of our group.”
While Washington took Tuesday off after its win, Sullivan put his players back to work. No panic.
“It’s about compete level, a mindset,” Sullivan said. “It’s about heart and soul.”
And the steady hand behind the bench, too.
Elsewhere in the NHL — The Buffalo Sabres hired Penguins associate general manager Jason Botterill to oversee a franchise that owner Terry Pegula criticized for lacking structure and discipline. Botterill takes over three weeks after Tim Murray was fired. His first job is hiring a coach to replace Dan Bylsma, who was also fired in Buffalo’s second front-office housecleaning in 31⁄ years. . . . 2
The Chicago Blackhawks re-signed forward Richard Panik to a two-year deal. Panik, 26, set career highs with 22 goals, 22 assists and 44 points this season.