Penguins/NHL
PENS PRACTICE NOTES
Just a day after head coach Dan Bylsma during a conference call said his hockey club is dealing with “shock”, “disappointment” and “disbelief” in being down 0-3, the Penguins are back on the ice this morning as the team prepares to keep their playoff hopes alive in Game 4.
Some early news before practice begins here is that James Neal who had hearing with league this morning, is on the ice, as is Arron Asham who was reportedly scheduled to have an in-person hearing with the league this morning at 11:00 a.m. Craig Adams suspended for Game 4 is also practicing.
Defenseman Paul Martin is not participating in today’s practice. He is the only Penguin missing.
11:30 a.m. NEAL TAKING REGULAR SHIFT W/ TOP LINE
James Neal is taking a regular shift on the top line with Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz.
The only line change was on the 4th line where Joe Vitale centered Eric Tangradi and Richard Park.
The extra line in today’s practice was Arron Asham – Dustin Jeffrey – Craig Adams.
Pittsburgh opened practice with their top-3 D pairs including Brooks Orpik – Kris Letang, Matt Niskanen – Zbynek Michalek, and Ben Lovejoy – Deryk Engelland, with Brian Strait filling in at times throughout the top-6.
Head coach Dan Bylsma is running an uptempo practice that has him pretty vocal.
