Fourth line hopes to build off good game

Having four scoring lines has been a crucial part of the Penguins identity while winning the past two Stanley Cup titles.

It has been a struggle at times this season, including recently in losses last week tothe New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins.

But Saturday, in a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Islanders, the Penguins seemed to stumble on something with the trio of (left to right) Tom Kuhnhackl, Riley Sheahan and Conor Sheary.

That group — despite never having played together before — contributed to a five-on-five shot share of around 80 percent, an absurdly high mark. They didn’t score a goal, but they gave coach Mike Sullivan a reliable option capable of wearing down the opposition.

It’s not exactly breaking news, but these guys know based on how the past few seasons have gone that having a capable fourth line is a must around here.

“We have to do more,” Kuhnhackl said. “We can’t just go out there and kill time. Obviously, we want to make sure we don’t get scored on, but at the same time — like we did last game — if we create turnovers off the forecheck and finish our hits, that’s how we get scoring chances.”

It’s interesting given the makeup of the line. Kuhnhackl will play a physical game, can block shots and will go to the front of the net. Sheahan, too, is responsible defensively but has discovered a little more offense of late. Sheary’s greatest attribute is his offense, and he can have a sneaky-good shot at times.

Rolled together, it’s a decent recipe for a line to click.

For Sheary, the new assignment is akin to moving down the batting order. Only instead of hoping to see more fastballs, Sheary is hoping for more goals. He has just four in his past 43 games and one in 22 since Jan. 4.

“I’m not taking it as a demotion,” Sheary said. “I’m taking it as the role I’m in. I’m going to play my best and help the team win.

“When you see it on paper, it might relax you a little bit, let me get back to my work ethic, compete level and winning puck battles. I think that’s important when you’re playing on the quote unquote fourth line.

“We earned our ice time last game. Hopefully we can dothat again [Monday].”

The job requirement — and what will determine ice time — isn’t necessarily that this group scores a bunch of goals. That’s why the Penguins have a top nine anchored by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Derick Brassard (with Phil Kessel).

Let them put up the bulk of the points. But being bad defensively isn’t an option when you’re on the fourth line. It’s also important that they generate momentum with shifts in the opposing team’s zone.

“We have to try and put the other team on their heels a bit,” Sheahan said. “We can generate some chances, maybe force an icing call, have one of our big lines come out against a tired line. Just little things like that. Just trying to be sound in our ‘D’ zone is big, not giving up too many chances against, then going down and contributing however wecan.”

Simon happy to be back

Dominik Simon was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Feb. 26 after the trade deadline passed. The Penguins called him up Friday when changes were in store after an awful performance in Boston.

“I didn’t have time to play a game down there,” Simon said. “I just had one practice. I traveled a little more, but it feels great.”

Simon joked that he spent the better part of last week riding cars, buses and airplanes, but he spent Saturday on a line with two of the best offensive players in Brassardand Kessel.

Acquitted himself quite well, too.

“They’re great players,” Simon said. “It’s really nice to play with them. It feels great. “

Murray skates

Matt Murray skated on his own Monday before the morning skate — working with goaltending coach Mike Buckley — but he did not take any shots. Sullivan described his status — along with that of Zach AstonReese (out longer term because of an upper-body injury) — as status quo. It’s the third time in four days Murray has been on the ice since getting a concussion at practice a week ago. He has yet to take any shots while trying towork his way back.