Sullivan believes his players got the message
Mike Sullivan did not mince words publicly after the Penguins’ embarrassing Saturday loss against the Montreal Canadiens. And one can assume at least a few of the ones he uttered privately were four letters long.
But, after an off day Sunday, a Monday morning film session and a competitive practice, he is confident his players received his message loud and clear.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for our players, and we know they’re a proud group and they know how to win,” the coach said after the Penguins practiced at PPG Paints Arena. “Now it’s a matter of going out every day and striving to be your best, because nothing is inevitable. We’ve got to make sure we go out and earn it every day.”
Sullivan said immediately after the 5-1 loss that he felt his players got outworked and outskated, and that some of the Penguins only cared about scoring goals, displaying little concern for defense.
So, in the Monday film session, he highlighted areas where the Penguins in their first two games had “a lack of attention to detail or a lack of urgency or commitment to play the game the right way and how that impacts our ability to have success.”
Then, early in the practice, Sullivan ran the Penguins through a drill on the outside third of the rink, where they had to battle along the boards, support each other and control the puck. There was no goalie to be scored upon.
The practice ran close to an hour. Many players lingered on the ice after that.
“We feel strongly that we’ve got to pay more attention to detail,” Sullivan said. “We have to play with more of a competitive spirit if we’re going to have success.”
The Penguins, who won a wild season opener against the Washington Capitals, 76, are by no means the only NHL team running and gunning. There were three games played Sunday. Two totaled 13 goals each. Sullivan was asked if offenses typically have the advantage early in a season.
“Sometimes, it takes a little bit of time to instill the habits and the structure that’s necessary for a cooperative effort when you’re playing away from the puck, when you’re playing defensively,” he said. “Sometimes, that can take a little bit of time.”
Grant remaining patient
While the Penguins made some changes to their defensive pairings, they kept all four forward lines intact.
If that holds, Derek Grant will have to keep waiting to make his Penguins debut.
“Obviously, it’s not a position anyone ever wants to be in,” said Grant, who signed a one-year contract in July.
“But it’s part of the job, and you’ve just got to be a good teammate, show up and work every day and be supportive of the other guys.”
The Penguins continue to cycle Grant in with fourthliners Matt Cullen, Riley Sheahan and Daniel Sprong during practices, but so far he has been the healthy scratch.
The 28-year-old is used to being in and out of the lineup. Last season, though, he found a regular role for the Anaheim Ducks, totaling 24 points in a career-high 66 games.
“It’s tough to get into a rhythm. But I’ve been in this position a lot of times,” Grant said. “The staff here does a good job when we’re not playing.
“We do extra in the gym, some lifting and some cardio during the game. That keeps you ready. Nothing, obviously, is the same as playing a game. But you’ve got to do what you can.”
Boards ‘tough’ to figure
Penguins players are still getting the hang of the bouncy new boards at PPG Paints Arena, so holding the Monday practice at their arena was beneficial.
The boards and glass system are intended to be flexible to help cut down on injuries, but they have led to some unexpected bounces and hard-to-read rimarounds.
“It goes so much faster around. It picks up speed almost,” defenseman Justin Schultz said.
“It’s tough for the goalies, too. If you ask [Matt Murray], it’s tough to get out and stop those. It’s just a matter of getting the timing right and figuring it out.”
He added: “Other teams coming in here are dealing with it, too, so it’s no excuse.”
Practice schedule tweaked
The Penguins originally were scheduled to hold an off-ice workout Tuesday. They will now hit the ice at 11 a.m. for a practice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
Wednesday, the Penguins will hold practice there again at 11 a.m. while the team’s AHL affiliate (WilkesBarre/Scranton) will skate at 11:30 a.m. on the facility’s other sheet of ice.