Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen gaining points as well as confidence

Kasperi Kapanen looks different.

The flamboyant locks of flowing blonde hair are gone, having been cropped down to a more modest collection of curls.

Tonsorial concerns noted, there’s something more profound about the Penguins winger that has changed with regard to his appearance.

Confidence.

Throughout the bulk of an underwhelming 2021-22 season for the talented Kapanen, he routinely has been his harshest critic, often lamenting how “terrible” — to use his own verbiage — he has played and even going so far as to admit he has “quit” — again, his words — at times this season.

On Sunday, after a spirited practice, Kapanen was arguably the most ebullient he has been this season when discussing his play, at least with media.

“It’s going OK,” Kapanen said. “The team is doing well. That’s the most important thing, obviously. I want to contribute and score goals and be a factor out there. I feel like my game has been trending in a better direction, which is always a positive. I want to produce and score goals and do anything I can to help the team win.

“Listen, if I don’t score another goal this season and the team keeps winning and we make the playoffs and we have a good run, that’s what I’m here for. I like the way our team is playing right now.”

Primarily deployed on the second line with Evgeni Malkin at center and Danton Heinen on the left wing, Kapanen has contributed to the team’s success as of late.

During a 3-2 road win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 27, Kapanen was stuffed on a breakaway, but during the following scramble, he recorded a secondary assist on a goal by defenseman Chad Ruwhedel.

Then, on Thursday, in a 5-1 road victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kapanen recorded a primary assist on the contest’s opening goal. After Kapanen put a wrister on net from the right wing, Heinen crashed the crease and cleaned up a rebound.

That success was countervailed a bit during a 3-2 overtime road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. During the third period, Kapanen failed to get a puck out of the defensive zone, and that miscue led to a tying goal by ex-Penguins forward Jordan Staal.

On Sunday, Kapanen offered something of an even-keeled audit for how his line has performed as of late.

“We’ve been playing well,” Kapanen said. “That Columbus game, I thought it was a good start for us. In Tampa, I thought we played a phenomenal game. In Carolina, we had looks. A couple of mistakes but I’ve thought our game has been good.

“Playing against a team like (the Lightning), I felt that we dominated through the whole game. That was fun to see. Carolina, too. We were playing well, just a couple of mistakes. I made a couple as well. Just something that we’ve got to clean up. A big three points out of four against two good teams, we’ll take that.”

The Penguins will take whatever offense Kapanen can offer after a brutal stretch for him. From Jan. 25 through Feb. 26, he went 13 games without a point.

“His game is starting to gain some traction,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s using his speed. … If he keeps utilizing his speed the way he’s capable — he’s got to shoot the puck and go to the net — when he does that, I think he’s going to help us. He’s going to score some goals. He’s had some pretty good looks. If he continues to get those, I think the puck will go in the net for him.”

The puck hasn’t gone in the net for Kapanen since Jan. 23, equating to a career-worst 16-game streak without a goal.

Buoyed by a slightly better stretch of play as of late, Kapanen professes optimism that he will bring that slump to an end.

“I feel like I’m getting chances,” Kapanen said. “I’m going to say this until I’m done playing hockey: If you’re not getting chances, that’s a problem. But I’m getting chances. They’re just not going in. It’s something I’ve got to work on.

“After practice, probably got to stay on the ice more and practice on some things. Just get some (repetitions). That’s hockey. It (stinks) sometimes and nothing goes in. Then, when you’re hot, you feel like anything you put at the net is going in.

“Right now, I’ve been through a slump that I haven’t been through. I’ve just got to push through.”

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