Penguins shake up power play before meeting with red-hot Red Wings
DETROIT – Having gone 2 for 20 on the power play over their previous eight games, the Pittsburgh Penguins could be shaking up their special-teams personnel for a Tuesday night meeting with the Detroit Red Wings.
Nick Bjugstad, who has points in three straight games, was bumped up to the top unit with Justin Schultz, Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel at morning skate.
Patric Hornqvist was moved to the second unit with Olli Maatta, Marcus Pettersson, Dominik Simon and Jared McCann.
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“(Bjugstad) brings little bit of a different skill set than what Horny brings,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re not locked into either combination. We could use both guys. Horny is obviously really good net front, great screening the goalie. He’s good on loose pucks. Nick brings a little bit more skill level with down-low plays or whatever it may be. They’re just a little bit different in what they bring to the group, but we have the ability to use both of them.”
Bjugstad said he’ll stress simplicity if he plays with the first unit.
“Just playing in front of the net, taking the goalie’s eyes away. Those guys are skilled up top,” he said. “Try to use my body and come up with pucks for them in the corners if they’re loose. Obviously zone entrance, breaking in, is important. I want to do my job there and not over-think it. Just go out and let those guys work their magic.”
A power-play goal or two could come in handy for the Penguins, since a home-and-home series with Detroit this week probably will be more closely contested than the standings might indicate.
The Red Wings are tied with Buffalo for sixth place in the Atlantic Division, but they’ve won five in a row, including victories over Vegas, San Jose and Boston.
Jonathan Bombulie is the TribLive assistant sports editor. A Greensburg native, he was a hockey reporter for two decades, covering the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 17 seasons before joining the Trib in 2015 and covering the Penguins for four seasons, including Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. He can be reached at jbombulie@triblive.com.
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