Cullen likely replacement for Sheary on Crosby’s line

He’s somebody who’s capable of playing at both ends of the ice and can generate some offense, too.”

When cast in his usual role on the fourth line, Cullen’s primary focus is on playing well defensively, but he still has a bit of a scoring touch, with eight goals and nine assists in 43 games.

“He’s got real good hockey sense and puck skills on the offensive side of the game,” coach Mike Sullivan said.

Factor in his strong skating, and Cullen could be a nice complement to Crosby and Hornqvist.

In fact, he might even enhance their puck-possession game by virtue of his ability to win faceoffs.

Cullen is the Penguins’ top faceoff man among those who have handled a meaningful number, winning 52.3 percent of his draws. Crosby has controlled 47.4 percent.

Crosby had a miserable night on faceoffs in the only previous meeting with Columbus, a 7-1 loss Dec. 22 at Nationwide Arena, winning just three of 17.

If that’s an issue again tonight, Cullen could shoulder some responsibility for taking draws.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Cullen said. “If he’s snapping them back, then obviously, he’ll take them.

“But it’s always nice to have another centerman out there if you’re having trouble with a guy, or one side of the rink or the other is giving you more trouble, you can change up and let someone else have a shot at it.”

Cullen said he won’t alter his game if he is moved to the top line, that doing so would be counterproductive.

“If you get caught up trying to be Sidney Crosby, you’re never going to make it there, and you’re going to kind of lose your own game,” he said.

Deploying Cullen, who has missed the past six games because of a foot injury, with Crosby could have another benefit for Sullivan.

Cullen usually centers the fourth line, but that unit has been effective since Eric Fehr moved into the middle between Chris Kunitz and Scott Wilson. Putting Cullen with Crosby would allow that line to remain intact.

The spot on Crosby’s left side opened Tuesday, when Sheary had an unspecified injury that is expected to prevent him from playing for four to six weeks.

Sheary had six goals in a recent four-game stretch and has justified Sullivan’s decision to use him in a topsix role.

But Nick Bonino, Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin are the only Penguins forwards to appear in all 49 games this season, so grafting someone onto a new line — or into a new position — has become routine.

“We’ve been dealing with injuries all year long,” Crosby said. “Guys have come in and done a good job, so we’re going to have to continue to do that.”