Tim Benz: Evgeni Malkin's suspension gives Penguins time to experiment with Rickard Rakell on Sidney Crosby's wing

During Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and recently acquired Rickard Rakell were only on the ice together for two minutes, seven seconds.

But they sure made the most of that time together.

All three of the Penguins goals were scored with those two forwards on the ice. The first occurred when defenseman Kris Letang and Rakell set up Crosby less than five minutes into the game.

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Later on, both skaters assisted on Jason Zucker’s goal in the third period.

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Then, in overtime, Rakell thought better of a shot and decided to smack a slap-pass over to Crosby for what turned out to be the game-winner.

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Perhaps with the exception of the extended 3-on-3 shift the two shared in overtime, the 2:07 Crosby and Rakell racked up together largely wasn’t planned. According to Natural Stat Trick, Crosby still spent the bulk of his time with Bryan Rust (12:22) and Jake Guentzel (17:13) on his wings. Rakell was normally with his usual partners, Evgeni Malkin (12:46) and Jason Zucker (13:49), as well.

As Pens Radio Network host Brian Metzer pointed out on the post-game show after the Penguins victory, Crosby was the last player off his line to change quite often as Malkin’s line was coming on — or the first over the boards when it was coming off — which bought a little extra time with Rakell.

Regardless of whether it was intentional or a happy accident, it worked. And now coach Mike Sullivan has some thinking to do regarding whether or not he ought to try Rakell and Crosby together by design or keep the former Anaheim Duck with Malkin and Zucker.

“That potentially could be an option for us moving forward,” Sullivan said after the win. “It’s a discussion that we’ve already had on what our top-six is going to look like and who is going to play with whom. One of the reasons (general manager Ron Hextall) went out and got Rak for us was that we felt like he was a guy who could play with either Sid or Geno. It gives us that much more versatility. We know Rusty can play with Geno. Geno and Rusty have good chemistry. … It’s an option we have discussed.”

There will be plenty of time over the next four games for experimentation. Or, at the very least, to buy a few extra shifts for Crosby with Zucker and Rakell. The franchise found out Malkin will be suspended for both home-and-home sets against the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins over the next nine days for cross-checking Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki in the mouth Sunday.

With suspensions, illness and injury constantly impacting the Penguins lineup of late, Crosby is appreciative of Rakell’s flexibility.

“It’s not easy jumping on a new team,” Crosby said Sunday. “He’s done a great job of playing his game and adjusting quickly. He’s got a ton of skill and sees the ice well.”

For his part, after the game, Rakell insisted wherever the team wants to play him, he’ll be ready.

“I’m learning for every game. Just trying to get better. Use my abilities on the ice and do whatever I can do to help the team,” Rakell said.

With eight points in 11 games, Rakell is off to a decent start in that context, as this seemingly endless regular season plods toward Easter weekend.

In Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” hockey podcast, Tim Benz and Brian Metzer talk about where Rickard Rakell should play, what the Penguins will do without Evgeni Malkin and the state of the team’s goaltending.

Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer talk Penguins — Rakell, Malkin and goaltending