The Penguins have picked up a point in each of their last five games and Phil Kessel will skate in his 785th straight game.
Impressive as those are, don't sleep on another streak the Penguins will take into tonight's game against the Predators at PPG Paints Arena: One. That's the number of games in which the Penguins' fourth line has recorded a point.
Matt Cullen's even-strength goal Monday night against the Rangers in New York snapped a 22-game drought for the Penguins' fourth-line.
"We'd been playing some good hockey with the minutes we'd been getting," said Garrett Wilson, who picked up the assist on Cullen's goal, his first point since Feb. 9. "It's nice to help on the scoreboard there. Just kind of break the slump up a little bit, but we're feeling good as a line now."
Obviously, there's been some moving parts on that group since its last goal, from Tanner Pearson to Teddy Blueger to Joe Blandisi. The mainstays have been Cullen and Wilson, but over the last three games they've been joined by Adam Johnson.
Though he's averaged just 4:43 per game, Johnson has made his presence felt. It could be argued that the last three games have been the fourth-line's best this season, even after surrendering a goal a game earlier at Dallas. An efficient fourth line doesn't need to score a goal per game, but it must be defensively sound and it must provide momentum.
That's where Johnson comes in. He brings not only an element of speed that had been lacking on the line, but also some offensive instincts. Johnson played in the top-six in Wilkes-Barre, recording 18 goals and 22 assist for 40 points in 63 games. Obviously, he's not going to get those kind of minutes or numbers in Pittsburgh, but he's been effective in his new role. He's embraced it.
"Just need to focus more on defense, playing a solid 200-foot game and contribute offensively if I can," Johnson was telling me. "I think my focus changed more on getting hard on the forecheck, even though I'm not big, use my stick and create stuff offensively if I can."
Though he's 6-foot and a slight 174 pounds, Johnson has been extremely aggressive on the forecheck and has thrown his weight around. For what it's worth, his six hits in three games are just five fewer than Kessel has in 77 games.
"He likes to get in there, and the game now is a lot of speed and just taking away a defender's time and space," Wilson was telling me. "He's been doing that and we've been keying off of it."
BRADFORD'S VIEW
Nice guys, try hard. That was basically Mike Sullivan's assessment of his fourth line when I asked Friday. I can vouch for that, too, but that's not exactly high-praise.
With five games remaining in the regular season, Sullivan said that his line combinations were "not completely set." Once the Penguins are back to full health, it's hard to envision the fourth line -- save for Cullen -- staying intact when things get real in two weeks.
I would envision Jared McCann staying on the second line with Malkin centering. That would allow Blueger to drop to the fourth line wing where he could be joined by Zach Aston-Reese, when he returns. A fourth-line of Blueger, Cullen and Aston-Reese would be fairly formidable and give the Penguins the kind of quality depth down the lineup that would make them a very tough out in the playoffs. Blueger and Cullen both provide face-off options, while all three play on the penalty kill. Most importantly, with the addition of Aston-Reese and Blueger, they could provide the kind of consistent offensive punch that the fourth line has been sorely lacking this season.
The Islanders are a strong possibility to be the Penguins' first-round matchup and they boast what many believe to be the best fourth line in the NHL with Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck. Blueger, Cullen and Aston-Reese would make for a strong matchup.
• As expected, Olli Maatta was in the lineup vs. the Predators and was paired with Brian Dumoulin, with Dumoulin moving over to the right side. Maatta reported no problems after the skate and was taken off IR two hours prior to puck drop Friday. It was Maatta's first action since suffering a separated shoulder Feb. 11.
• Sullivan said that Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin both skated on their own. While that's not exactly earth-shattering, considering both players are out of the lineup with upper-body injuries, it's still a positive sign. Letang will miss his second straight game and Malkin his sixth. Chad Ruhwedel also skated, though he is not believed to be close to returning.
• After a full practice Thursday, the Penguins held an optional skate. Those taking the option included Sidney Crosby, Justin Schultz, Kessel and Dumoulin.
• As expected, Matt Murray will be in goal and make his seventh straight start. He'll be opposed by Pekka Rinne. Murray is 3-0 with a .968 save percentage and 0.97 GAA against the Predators in the regular season. That includes his 2-1 shootout win in Nashville last week.
• The Penguins will wear their gold alternate uniforms for the 12th and final time this season. They are 10-1 in them.
• With backup goalie Juuse Saros out with an illness, the Predators recalled Troy Grosenick from Milwaukee on an emergency basis to serve as Rinne's backup.
• The Predators held an extremely optional skate with only a handful of players taking the ice.
• Here are the Penguins' expected lines and pairs:
Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
McCann-Blueger-Kessel
Simon-Bjugstad-Hornqvist
A. Johnson-Cullen-Wilson
Maatta-Dumoulin
Johnson-Schultz
Pettersson-Gudbranson
