Penguins/NHL
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The Penguins 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night featured another lineup mostly made up of young players and fringe players trying to win a roster spot.
“It was a young game. Young lineup on both sides,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said. “And so I think with that comes inconsistent play.”
Sullivan cited the game featuring some brilliance from some of the Penguins young upside players and also a lot of negative play in how the Penguins performed away from the puck at times, which wasn’t unexpected.
Among the notable players in the lineup, for a player like Adam Johnson, there was a drop off in his level of play vs the Blue Jackets.
Meanwhile, Daniel Sprong scored in the win, while Zach Aston-Reese who is back skating on Evgeni Malkin’s line this morning, added a goal and assist.
“You can see Daniel’s ability to shoot the puck,” Sullivan said of Sprong after Friday’s win. “He does a good job seeing the ice, can find that weak-side play, late option, and that is an indication of his vision.”
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Another young player who was featured in the Columbus game was Teddy Blueger.
Penguins coaches love the hockey IQ of Blueger and how responsible he is away from the puck that has put him under consideration to start the season in Pittsburgh but a key takeaway from Sullivan is how Blueger needs to get stronger and that’s pretty much the book on Blueger at this point in his development.
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“Teddy’s a pretty good two-way player,” Sullivan said. “He’s got a real good hockey IQ. See’s the play on both sides of the puck. He’s a decent playmaker, has some offense to his game. But he also has some awareness away from the puck.”
“Teddy’s a guy who I think when he gets little bit stronger it will really help him,” Sullivan said. “Will help him in the puck battles and I think he’ll pick up half a step just in his overall strength and his core strength.”
“That’s where the game is played, your core strength. That’s where your balance comes from, first two steps, your explosiveness, ability in puck battles to be strong on the puck. I just think Teddy if he gets stronger and mature, his overall game will really come.”
Saturday’s Main Practice Group
Guentzel – Crosby – Sheary
Aston-Reese – Malkin – Kessel
Hagelin – Rowney – Simon
Garrett Wilson – Blueger – Reaves
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