Kasperi Kapanen's second season with the Penguins didn't pan out the way anyone had hoped. After scoring 11 goals and totaling 30 points in 40 games in 2020-21, he scored the same number of goals and added just two points to his total in 79 games this past regular season.
It was rough. He had several lengthy goal droughts, even found himself in the press box as a healthy scratch on a couple of occasions.
But, in these Stanley Cup playoffs, in the absence of Rickard Rakell, the team didn't have much choice but to promote Kapanen to the top-six alongside Evgeni Malkin.
Though Kapanen is currently without a goal in 17 consecutive games, Mike Sullivan is very pleased with what he's seen from him this postseason.
"I think Kappy's played really well," Sullivan said Sunday morning via video chat, a framed Sidney Crosby jersey mounted on the wall behind him. "I think the biggest thing that's noticeable is, he's using his speed to his advantage. He's getting in on the forecheck. He's been another physical player for us, but he's using his speed off the rush. Just wide speed and shooting the puck."
Here's a prime example from Game 3, where Kapanen sharply cut to the middle while receiving a pass as he entered the offensive-zone:
Far too often this season, we've seen Kapanen fumble that pass and spring the opposition's transition the other way. His puck control, and really, his assertiveness in general has been night and day this postseason.
"He's getting to the net," Sullivan continued. The tone in which Sullivan spoke of Kapanen really enforced how encouraged he's been with the Finn's performance. "He's had a number of opportunities in and around the blue paint just by getting to the net and getting inside the dots. And he's doing it consistently. It's game in and game out. I think that's an important aspect of trying to generate offense and score goals in today's NHL, and I think he's done a great job this series."
It's almost as if Sullivan had this exact sequence in mind when speaking:
The Penguins will absolutely need more of that if they hope to make a run, and Sullivan believes the goals will come for Kapanen if he can keep it up: "I think he's playing really well, and I think if he continues to play this way, he's gonna score some goals for us."
Through three games this postseason, Kapanen has a lone secondary assist to account for his boxscore production, but his 21 shot attempts and 15 shots on goal rank fifth and fourth, respectively, on the Penguins.
MORE FROM THE COACH
• Tristan Jarry did not skate Sunday morning after hitting the ice Saturday prior to the Penguins' skate. He was given the day off, as was the rest of the team.
• Rickard Rakell skated on his own again Sunday morning as he rehabs from a presumed concussion. Sullivan said he is progressing. It was his third consecutive day on the ice.
• Brian Dumoulin's injury status has still not changed. He is day-to-day.
• It didn't take long at all for Jason Zucker to find his way back on the scoresheet upon his return to the lineup after picking up an assist on Brock McGinn's opening goal in Game 3. Sullivan believes he brings a whole lot to the table for the Penguins.
"I thought he was a big part of the game last night," Sullivan said. "He brought us a lot of energy. He obviously plays the game with an edge. He brings a certain level of physicality to our team. And he helps us get momentum. I thought Zuck had a real strong game for us."
