Zucker returns to place on Malkin line
Less than 10 days after Jason Zucker had to be helped off the ice in Minnesota, the Penguins winger found himself right back in the fight … quite literally.
In Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, Zucker dropped the gloves in the third period with Trevor van Riemsdyk. The bout itself was uneventful. It was more a wrestling match than a bare-knuckle brawl.
Nonetheless, the fact that Zucker is back this soon was a significant development for a Penguins team that has lost seven of nine games.
“It’s going to take [Zucker] a few games to get up to speed,” Sullivan said. “It’s not easy. He’s jumping on a moving train, so to speak. It’s not an easy challenge.”
Zucker, who missed 30 games while recovering from core muscle surgery, initially rejoined the lineup March 31 in time to play in Minnesota for the first time since the longtime Wild player was traded to Pittsburgh. But just over a period into that game, Kevin Fiala gave Zucker a shove, sending him into the boards and putting him back on the shelf.
Fewwould have imagined at the time that Zucker would be ready for game action so quickly. He rejoined the lineup in his usual role, skating on Evgeni Malkin’s left wing on a trio that also featured Rickard Rakell. During Saturday’s loss, Zucker recorded 9:20 of ice time. He did not have a shot on net and was on the ice for two Capitals goals.
While Zucker himself has acknowledged he would like to produce more than the 15 total goals he has netted since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, his presence on the ice helps the Penguins craft a more-complete lineup.
As a result, Jeff Carter was able to slide back into the middle of the third line, where he’s best suited. Teddy Blueger then centered a shut-down line that featured Brian Boyle. Both of those bottom two lines scored.
“We want them to be trustworthy and reliable defensively,” Sullivan said when asked what identity he’s looking for from the third and fourth lines. “Get defensive zone starts. Win face-offs. Help us gain momentum by being good on the forecheck. And if they can chip in offensively obviously, that’s a big bonus.”
Penalties scrutinized
Three second-period penalties in short succession changed the complexion of the game. They also drew criticism from Sullivan.
With Kris Letang already in the box for interference and the Penguins on the penalty kill, Carter raced into the offensive zone. But what looked like it could be a short-handed chance for the Penguins ultimately resulted in a second penalty.
When Carter got tied up with T.J. Oshie, his stick came up and clipped the Capitals star. Sullivan saw it differently.
“I thought [Carter’s] penalty was tough, quite honestly...,” Sullivan said. “He’s in a foot race. He has a breakaway. He gets interfered. It’s probably a high stick but there should have been an interference call as well.”
Just seconds after Carter went to the box, Brian Dumoulin joined him. The defenseman flipped the puck over the glass following a faceoff win. That gave the Capitals nearly two minutes of 5-on-3 time. Alex Ovechkin converted from his classic one-timer spot in the left circle, tying the game at 3. The Penguins would never again lead.
“When you put that power play on the ice 5-on-3 for two minutes basically, that’s a tall task,” Sullivan said.
Haskins honored
Prior to puck drop, the Penguins observed a moment of silence to remember Steelers quarterback
Dwayne Haskins, who died early Saturday morning. He was struck by a dump truck on a road in South Florida. He was 24.
Around the boards
Two Penguins came back from illness. Sidney Crosby and John Marino both suited up after missing Thursday’s loss at Madison Square Garden with a non-COVID illness. … Radim Zohonra was also ill on Thursday. He was a healthy scratch Saturday. … With those three back, Filip Hallander was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton. He had been called up on an emergency basis, which made his roster spot contingent upon other players’ health.