Penguins to get back to business vs. Oilers
players are antsy.”
The Penguins last played Thursday, a 3-0 win in Toronto against a stacked Maple Leafs team, and Sullivan felt that was his team’s most complete game so far. Up next are Connor McDavid, the winner of the past two scoring titles, and the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday.
They’ll play in Calgary two days later, then wrap up the trip Saturday in Vancouver.
“I just think we [have to] go out there with the same mindset, play the game the right way and hard and play for each other. That’s what we did in Toronto,” said winger Patric Hornqvist before conceding the win “feels like that was a long time ago.”
After another night Friday in Toronto, the Penguins flew into Calgary, then hopped on buses to Banff. They took advantage of the downtime and their surroundings, hiking around the park or riding a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
“It was pretty cool. Great view,” Kessel said. “We had
“I thought we had two really good days. … I think the players are antsy.” — Mike Sullivan, Penguins coach, on Canadian road trip.
a good day and a half here.”
Many of them looked very much like tourists, checking out restaurants and shops in Banff or posing for photos from a mountain top, like Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and a few others did Sunday — posting pics on social media, of course.
“It’s a beautiful place … guys are excited to be here. It’s not a typical place you hang out,” Crosby said Sunday. “We don’t get a chance to go on many long road trips.”
The Penguins could have returned home after their game in Toronto and practiced on their home ice for a couple of days before making the long flight to Western Canada.
But Sullivan explained while in Toronto that the Penguins decided instead to spend time in Banff to help establish some early season camaraderie.
A five-day road trip became a 10-day getaway but the players are really enjoying it.
“It’s a really nice, little town,” said Murray, who visited Banff as a small child but doesn’t remember it. “I feel pretty lucky that we get to come to places like this with the team. It’s pretty cool.”
Added Hornqvist: “I think it was great. Good experience to come up here. We went up through mountains [Sunday], and it was beautiful. It’s so peaceful. So you’re well-rested after this trip. But [Tuesday], we’ve got to take care of business again.”