Penguins notes: Defenseman Cody Ceci keeps producing

To little surprise, All-Star Kris Letang has been the Pittsburgh Penguins’ most prolific defenseman this season with 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) in 47 games.

Their second-most productive blue-liner might be a bit surprising, particularly to those in Toronto.

Cody Ceci.

During Saturday’s 4-2 home win against the New Jersey Devils, Ceci recorded his 17th point of the season on a secondary assist. From center point of the offensive zone, Ceci fired a one-timer that was deflected by forwards Jake Guentzel then Bryan Rust for a goal ultimately credited to Rust at 7 minutes, 30 seconds of the second period.

That assist extended a potent stretch of play for Ceci, who has recorded points in 11 of his past 14 games (two goals, nine assists).

With four goals and 13 assists in 45 games this season, he significantly has outpaced his underwhelming 2019-20 campaign as a much-maligned member of the Maple Leafs when he was limited to eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 56 games.

Ceci, who was a healthy scratch for three of the Penguins’ first four games this season, cited greater familiarity with the Penguins’ scheme and chemistry with defensive partner Mike Matheson as to being key to his success as of late.

“I’m feeling a little comfortable with the system,” Ceci said via video conference. “I’m feeling comfortable with my partner. He’s a great player. We’re working well together. We’re just trying to get pucks to the net. (Teammates) are doing a good job of getting there for us. It just seems to be working out.”

Ceci, like every player who changed addresses this past offseason, largely had to adjust to his new surroundings in-season because of the pandemic limiting aspects of the preseason such as training camp and exhibition games.

“Anytime someone joins a new team — especially for what guys who are new came into this year (with) a shortened camp, no preseason and were thrown into it pretty quick — it’s always an adjustment with normal circumstances,” forward Sidney Crosby said. “With time and just getting to know guys and feeling out his game, that’s just kind of a progression. But he’s been really good defensively. And … he’s been putting up points, which is huge. It’s a huge boost when you get that from your blue line.”

Blueger seems OK

Coach Mike Sullivan indicated there was no reason for concern — at least, “not right now” — for the status of forward Teddy Blueger, who appeared to be in discomfort late in Saturday’s game.

The Penguins forward was rattled by a hit from Devils forward Andreas Johnsson deep in New Jersey’s zone on the left wing late in regulation at the 17:44 mark.

Following the collision, Blueger skated to his bench hunched over. He remained on the bench for the final minutes of play, appearing to focus on his left arm while head athletic trainer Chris Stewart attended to him.

Fill ’em up

Crosby’s empty-net goal at 19:59 of the third period, which crossed the goal line with one-tenth of a second remaining on the clock, established a new franchise mark with 15 empty-netters for the season in only 48 games.

The previous mark of 14 was established by the 2000-01 squad — blessed with the talents of franchise icons such as Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr — in a full 82-game schedule.

The NHL record of 24 was set by the 2015-16 Dallas Stars, also in 82 games.