Looking for 'the right combinations,' Penguins shake up lines in win

While the Penguins' top-six forwards have remained constant nearly all season, the bottom-six forward lines have been tinkered with considerably -- especially since the trade deadline -- due to injuries and generally uninspiring results.

Entering a nine-game stretch over 15 days, the lineup received one of the biggest shakeups it's had all season when the Penguins hosted and defeated the Flyers, 5-1, here at PPG Paints Arena Saturday.

Prior to the game, it was announced Nick Bonino suffered a lacerated kidney Thursday against the Islanders. With Ryan Poehling still on the shelf with a nagging upper-body injury, Alex Nylander was recalled on an emergency basis for the second time within a week because the Penguins wouldn't have had 12 healthy forwards for a game.

Nylander had quite the impressive debut after ending up on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Jason Zucker on Tuesday, so with him in the fold following a one-game hiatus, Mike Sullivan went right back to that trio Saturday. Changes elsewhere included reuniting Bryan Rust with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, dropping Rickard Rakell to the third line with Mikael Granlund and Drew O'Connor, as well as dropping Jeff Carter to the fourth line, in between Danton Heinen and Josh Archibald.

Upon first glance, it seemed like one of the most complete forward lineups put together all season.

"We’re playing a lot of really important games," Sullivan said of the changes. "We’ve got a lot of games in a short period of time, and we need four lines to get this done here. We put combinations together today that we thought gave us balance throughout the lineup. We could utilize guys that could play to their strengths in different situations, and that’s what we try to do."

Ultimately, those changes resulted in a 3-1 advantage in goals for the Penguins during 47:22 of 5-on-5 action. Digging a little deeper, it was actually a pretty even game at full-strength, at least in terms of shot attempts (39-39), shots (20-20) and scoring chances (19-15, Penguins). Despite the three goals, two of which were deflections, it was a rather quiet offensive night for the Penguins during 5-on-5 play. However, that doesn't mean the new workflow wasn't a good first step in the right direction.

One could view it as problematic that the Penguins let the Flyers hang around with them for the majority of the game, but another might view it as simply getting the job done by any means necessary. Unlike many games in which they've faltered this season, they didn't beat themselves against the Flyers.

For the most part, they took care of the puck at critical moments, didn't force plays that weren't there, and as Rickard Rakell would confirm after the game, they were completely fine with being patient.

"We kept it pretty simple after the first period," he said. "Just kept grinding away, getting some zone time and being satisfied with the chances that we can get battling in front of their net."

One of those chances battling in front of the net came from Rakell himself, snapping a 10-game goal drought and opening the scoring in the first:

Even though it'd been a while since Rakell found the back of the net, he didn't necessarily deserve a "demotion" to the third line. But that's not really what this is. It's about putting a legitimate threat further down the lineup, one who can complement the other two skaters.

"I think we can do it all," Rakell said of his new line. "OC’s so good on the forecheck and has a lot of speed. Granny’s a great two-way player and I’m just trying to do my thing. I think we were satisfied with how we played tonight and hopefully we can bring it again tomorrow."

That line was the Penguins' most effective throughout the game, as they outscored the Flyers, 2-0, out-attempted them, 9-7, and controlled 74.9% of the expected goals during 9:13 of 5-on-5 action with the three of them on the ice.

Their other goal came in the final minute of the game, as Granlund scored for the first time since he was acquired:

The Penguins' other 5-on-5 goal came from the Malkin line, which finished the night minus-one in shot attempts, but plus-two in shots with a 60.8% share of expected goals. It was Zucker, as Rakell mentioned, battling out front and deflecting a shot from distance past Carter Hart for his eighth goal in seven games:

The Crosby line didn't score, but finished above water in shots and attempts. The Carter line didn't score, either, in their 4:33 of work together. Although they broke even in attempts (4-4), they failed to register a shot on goal.

Over time, more offensive generation will be needed from these new-look lines (especially with important games on tap), but they got off to an encouraging start by playing within themselves and getting the job done.

"We think we have what it takes, we just gotta find the right combinations, and we’re trying to do that," Sullivan said. "We’re trying to settle in. Some of the injuries have forced us to make some adjustments. I thought the group that we put on the ice tonight did a really good job, and we’ll see where it goes moving forward."

JOE SARGENT / GETTY

Rickard Rakell battles for a puck in the first period Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.

MORE FROM THE GAME

• The Penguins went 1-for-4 on the power play. Crosby got the goal for his 29th of the season, another absolute missile of a one-timer from the right circle:

If he records six points over the next four games, Crosby can match the 84 points in 69 games he posted a season ago. That's with considerably lower power-play production. 

• Crosby's 53 goals against the Flyers are the most in NHL history. The only player to record more points against the Flyers than his 122? Mario Lemieux, with 124.

• The last goal yet to be mentioned came late from Guentzel with Hart pulled for the extra attacker. It was his 27th goal of the season and seventh empty-netter, which is more than any other NHLer. Dating back to the start of last season, his 13 empty-net goals rank second, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (15).

• Nylander was a little quieter than he was in his debut, but he continued to display the necessary qualities, beyond the offensive components, to be an NHL player. Sullivan is becoming convinced he belongs. Taylor Haase has much more here.

• Casey DeSmith got the nod between the pipes and, despite a lone brutal goal against, turned in a very solid performance, stopping 31 of 32 shots. Taylor has more in a Freeze Frame.

• The Penguins took a one-goal lead into the third period, which rightfully left some uneasy considering their aptitude for keeping things interesting. Again, it was a close game until the end, but this one didn't have the same vibe as a few of the disastrous blown leads. Sullivan thought the "guys were locked in" for the duration.

"Most importantly, playing with a lead, just continuing to play on our toes, trying to work to get the next goal, not trying to sit back on the lead and protect it," Sullivan said. "We certainly want to protect it, but we want to do it the right way, and I think we did a pretty good job of that today."

• It seemed like Rakell was a little more assertive with the puck after becoming the best player on his line instead of serving more as a third wheel with the top dogs. The way he commanded the puck in transition really stood out at times.

"I, honestly, wanted to try to do more," Rakell said. "That’s my mindset going forward. I want to be more of a threat out there."

• In addition to scoring his first Penguins goal, Granlund picked up the secondary assist on Rakell's goal. I'd say it was comfortably his best game since coming over from the Predators. He's definitely an upgrade for the bottom six compared to some of the options pre-trade deadline, but that $5 million cap hit for another two seasons after this one is tough to get past. 

• The Marcus Pettersson-Kris Letang pairing had a dominant reunion Thursday against the Islanders, and they turned in another strong showing in this one. During their 17:58 together at 5-on-5, the Penguins were plus-two in goals, plus-nine in shot attempts and plus-seven in shots while controlling 58.1% of the expected goals. Those two had middling results together earlier in the season, so it would be pretty big if they continue to build off these last two games.

• It's been nice to see Pettersson rewarded for his offensive impact with some points to show for it over this last stretch. For the fourth time in the last eight games, he had two points. 

• I'm really not sure what the endgame is here with the Dmitry Kulikov-Jan Rutta pairing. I understand the desire to get Kulikov in the lineup and acclimated to the system, but I don't understand pairing him up with another non-puck-moving defensive defenseman. With them on the ice at 5-on-5, the Penguins were out-attempted, 11-2, and outshot, 5-0. In their last 19 minutes together at 5-on-5 dating back to Thursday, the Penguins have two shots on goal.

• By the way, don’t think for a second P.O Joseph is pouting about being out of the lineup. He, as always, had a giant smile plastered on his face outside the locker room after the win.

• The victory marked Sullivan's 400th win as an NHL head coach, the 11th-fastest to do so.

"It’s humbling, for sure," he said. "I think I’ve been fortunate to coach a lot of really good players. Good players, or great players, is what make coaches look smart. This group that I’ve had in Pittsburgh, they’ve been an unbelievable group to work with, and I’m grateful to all the players that make the sacrifices to help us have success."

• Thanks, as always, for reading!

THE ESSENTIALS

• Boxscore
• Live file
• Scoreboard
• Standings
• Statistics

THE HIGHLIGHTS

THE THREE STARS

As selected at PPG Paints Arena:

1. Casey DeSmith, Penguins G
2. Jason Zucker, Penguins LW
3. Marcus Pettersson, Penguins D

THE INJURIES

• Prior to the game, it was announced forward Nick Bonino suffered a lacerated kidney Thursday against the Islanders.  Sullivan said his prognosis is encouraging, but he will be out week-to-week.

• Forward Ryan Poehling remains on long-term injured reserve with a nagging upper-body injury. He is skating with the team in a full capacity.

THE LINEUPS

Sullivan’s lines and pairings:

Jake Guentzel - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker - Evgeni Malkin - Alex Nylander
Drew O'Connor - Mikael Granlund - Rickard Rakell
Danton Heinen - Jeff Carter - Josh Archibald

Marcus Pettersson - Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin - Jeff Petry
Dmitry Kulikov - Jan Rutta

And for John Tortorella's Flyers:

Scott Laughton - Morgan Frost - Owen Tippett
Joel Farabee - Kevin Hayes - Tyson Foerster
James van Riemsdyk - Noah Cates - Tanner Laczynski
Nicolas Deslauriers - Elliot Desnoyers - Kieffer Bellows

Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
Ivan Provorov - Cam York
Nick Seeler - Justin Braun

THE SCHEDULE

The Penguins are right back at it for another game on Sunday. It's a 4:12 p.m. puck drop against the Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. I'll be there with Dejan Kovacevic for your coverage.