Evan Rodrigues wasn't guaranteed a spot on the major-league roster when he reported to training camp last month.
But when the Penguins opened the season Tuesday night in Tampa, he was the Penguins' second-line center because Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are recovering from offseason surgeries.
And when the Penguins face the Blackhawks tonight at 7:08 at PPG Paints Arena, he will get another unexpected promotion: He will work the left side/point on the No. 1 power-play.
This opportunity came along because defenseman Mike Matheson, a candidate to join that unit, will miss his third consecutive game because of an unspecified lower-body injury and Bryan Rust will not play because of an unspecified injury sustained in the third period of a 5-4 overtime loss at Florida Thursday.
And while Rodrigues clearly is a placeholder in his new role, as well as his spot on the No. 2 line, he didn't draw that duty by winning a coin toss or a game of rock-paper-scissors. He has a goal in each of the Penguins' first two games and complements his physical skills with a good feel for offense.
"He has good offensive instincts," Mike Sullivan said after the Penguins' game-day skate Saturday. "We think it's one of the strengths of his game. Given the situation that we have, with some of the injuries that we have, we're looking for someone who can jump into that first power play and help it continue to have success, and we think Evan is one of those guys.
"He's versatile. He can play multiple positions. But I think the bottom line is, he has real good offensive instincts. He sees the ice well. He distributes the puck well. He makes good decisions."
Still, it likely will take Rodrigues a little time to get fully integrated to the group.
"Power play is a question of reps," Kris Letang said. "You have to do a lot of reps during practices and obviously, the game is the best test. You try to understand what other people on the ice like to be in, (in) different situations.
"Does Evan Rodrigues like the one-timer on his front foot (or) back foot? Does he like to get the puck standing still or moving? You try to learn different tendencies of different players. As you get more practices and games, you start feeling better and you get a better read off each other."
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Marc-Andre Fleury made his presence felt in PPG Paints Arena long before the opening faceoff by pulling a prank on Letang, a longtime friend and teammate. "He taped all of my stuff into a ball," Letang said. "Nice." Letang also said that, "it's always weird to see him in another uniform."
• Sullivan discussed the challenge of designing a framework in which players can be effective defensively without stifling their offensive abilities.
"We always use the phrase, 'sufficient structure,' " he said. "It's hard to win in this league if you don't have structure. You can't just play pond hockey out there and think you're going to win games. So there needs to be sufficient structure that we can be predictable to one another and we can defend as a group, collectively. And even offensively, when we have the puck, we've got to be somewhat predictable for one another, but we allow -- and encourage -- players to trust their instincts and act on their instincts.
"You can't score your way to championships. It's not all about offense. You have to have the ability to defend and keep the puck out of your net and be hard to play against. For me, it's about finding that balance. ... Our coaching staff is a staff that believes strongly in allowing players the opportunity to trust their instincts, offensively, and to act on those instincts."
• Brian Dumoulin, on Fleury: "Whether he's for us or against us, it's always good to have Marc-Andre in the building."
• Crosby and Matheson skated with skills coach Ty Hennes before the team worked out, and Sullivan said Rust's injury still is being evaluated.
• Left winger Zach Aston-Reese participated in the skate and "more than likely going to be a "game-time decision," Sullivan said.
• Sullivan, on why Jeff Carter was chosen to serve as an alternate captain: "He's a great pro. He's a very accomplished player. He just exhibits leadership skills."
• These were the personnel combinations at the skate:
Jake Guentzel -- Jeff Carter -- Danton Heinen
Jason Zucker -– Evan Rodrigues -- Kasperi Kapanen
Zach Aston-Reese -– Teddy Blueger -- Brock McGinn
Drew O'Connor -- Brian Boyle -– Dominik Simon
Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson – John Marino
Mark Friedman – Chad Ruhwedel
P.O Joseph – Mike Matheson
