Penguins This ‘n’ ‘At

With a lull between games, I thought I’d cobble together a Penguins This ‘n’ ‘At. Without further ado, here goes.

Virtually every Pens fan, if not every hockey fan across the Dominion of Canada, is holding their breath (and saying their prayers) over the status of Sidney Crosby. Sid got his arm caught between a rock and a hard place (Devils Luke Hughes and Erik Haula) on Tuesday night. Although our captain returned to action and even participated in the shootout, he missed practice yesterday while being evaluated for injury.

I recall Evgeni Malkin suffering what at first blush appeared to be a similar injury against the CBJ back in March of 2016 when checked into the boards by Dalton Prout, causing Geno to miss the final month of the season. Ironically, the injury would have a fortuitous twist, one that led Mike Sullivan to create the HBK Line.

There will be no such luck should Sid be forced to miss time. Indeed, since Malkin went down against the Kraken on January 25, Sid’s been a one-man band of sorts, tallying four of our 10 goals and assisting on three others.

Losing No. 87 for any length of time would be catastrophic (unless you’re puling for the Pens to tank).

Speaking of Geno, he’s resumed skating. Lest you think the big guy doesn’t still have value, we’ve averaged less than two goals per 60 minutes in his absence.

Doing Fine in Vancouver

While I’m pleased with the return we received in the Vancouver trade, Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor are off to good starts in the Pacific Northwest.

Already a bulwark, Pettersson logged 23:03 of ice time during the Canucks 3-0 shutout of the Avs on Tuesday. Petey delivered a pair of hits, blocked a shot while unleashing two of his own and finished a plus-1.

He was immediately rewarded with a six-year extension, including some trade protection, at an AAV of $5.5 million.

As for O’Connor?

DOC saw a healthy 14 minutes of ice time, registered three shots on goal, two hits and capped his evening with an empty-net goal. As an aside, I’ve often wondered why Sullivan doesn’t play slumping players more in empty-net situations, although I suppose it could be a double-edged sword (guys pressing and/or taking unnecessary risks to score).

Anyway, good for both!

Down on the Farm

Following several lean seasons, things are looking up at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The resurgent Baby Pens currently occupy fourth place (out of eight teams) in the AHL Atlantic Division with a record of 24-11-4 and 52 points. Their .667 points percentage? Tied for fourth-best in the league.

With 19 goals and 41 points in 37 games, veteran tweener Emil Bemström leads the way. While the 25-year-old center with a bomb of a shot has always put up spectacular numbers in the AHL, the production hasn’t translated to the bigs. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets a call-up should the Pens move some bodies at the trade deadline.

Another borderline NHLer, left wing Boris Katchouk, has put up solid numbers as well, 14 goals and 32 points in the 37 games. Although he has 176 NHL games on his resume, the rugged 26-year-old appears to be a bit long in the tooth for another shot, but stranger things have happened, especially if openings arise.

As for the kids, left wing Ville Koivunen (pictured) is enjoying an outstanding rookie season. He was recently named AHL Rookie of the Month thanks to four-and-three goal outbursts, which have accounting for nearly half of his 15 goals on the season. Needless to say, he’s a bit streaky but undeniably skilled. Possesses a sneaky competitive fire to boot.

Center Vasily Ponomarev has also been excellent, totaling 11 goals and 27 points in 30 games. If we’re going to promote a kid, my money would be on the 22-year-old Muscovite, who plays a well-rounded game.

Hustling right wing Avery Hayes has quietly put together a really nice season (10 goals, 21 points in 27 games). Ditto first-year center Tristan Broz (12 goals in 27 games) who, unfortunately, has mono.

About the only prominent forward prospect who isn’t lighting it up? Rutger McGroarty, who’s totaled a comparatively mild six goals in 37 games along with 15 assists. Still, the Nebraska native’s only 20 years old and obviously has plenty of time to develop.

On defense, Owen Pickering was picked to play in the AHL All-Star Game along with Bemström despite less-than-imposing stats (a lone goal and no assists in 16 games with the Baby Pens). Drafted for his offensive flair, he seems to be tracking a more stay-at-home role as a pro.

Since being recalled from Wheeling to replace injured Filip Larsson, Sergei Murashov has been nothing short of brilliant between the pipes, posting a microscopic 1.60 goals against average and .947 save percentage in five appearances along with a shutout.

He was brilliant with the Nailers, too, running off a 13-game winning streak.

All reasons to smile.