☛ POINT SHOTS

When it comes to scoring defensemen, the Penguins have experienced a surge there in the season’s second half. Led by Kris Letang, who now has three overtime winners, the Penguins have gotten 14 goals and 60 points from their defensemen since Jan. 24. Both rank in the league’s top five over that span. ❖

One of their most productive blue-liners has been Marcus Pettersson, in part because of one underrated ability. The lanky lefty is quite good at flinging precise shots from the point into spots where another Penguin can redirect them on goal. Pettersson picked up three assists doing that in the last 10 days.

No four-game stretch better sums up this season than the Penguins blowing a late two-goal lead against the Islanders, playing well against the Flyers and the Rangers then losing to the lowly Canadiens. How could anyone have confidence this group is capable of winning four playoff series, let alone one? ❖

I thought Nick Bonino’s injury might be a blessing in disguise because it left Mike Sullivan little choice but to put Jeff Carter on the fourth line. But the results remain disastrous. He was a minus-4 in that ugly loss to Montreal. Carter will likely keep his jersey, though. He’s the only right-handed center on the roster.

Sullivan had something with the pairing of Mikael Granlund and Rickard Rakell, pictured, on the third line. Sliding Rakell down the lineup allowed him to be more assertive and the two flashed quick chemistry inside the offensive zone. The trio of Granlund, Rakell and Drew O’Connor had held its own defensively, as well. ❖

Stick taps to Sam Poulin, who announced this week that he is ready to return to hockey after taking a break for three months to focus on his mental health. He will resume his season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Hopefully, he comes back stronger than ever and inspires others to prioritize their own mental health.