The Pittsburgh Penguins’ visit to the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa on Wednesday will draw a lot of attention due to the game’s stakes as well as the presence of some familiar faces.
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The Pennsylvania roster holds the final bye for the National Hockey League Eastern Conference draft teams. Clearly, the Senators have a keen interest in winning the honor of their home and away series against the Pens, who will visit them on Friday, in order to maintain a logical chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
A meeting of the penguins remains very special, however, as the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin tandem continues to excel despite their age. The two veterans, aged 35 and 36 respectively, are one of the factors that explain their team’s respectable performance in 2022-2023. Crosby has 49 points to his credit, eight more than the Russian. If they continue their efficient work, Pittsburgh should return to the playoffs.
Among those still amazed by their accomplishments is Jacques Martin, a well-known figure in both clans. The former driver for the Senators and several other organizations had the opportunity to work with the two stars on a number of assignments as an assistant instructor between 2013 and 2020. The success hardly surprises him.
“At that age, that’s certainly impressive. That says a lot not only about their abilities at the elite level, where they have dominated all these years, but also as people. It’s great that they’ve managed to do that and made the playoffs that many times, Martin told the Ottawa Sun. They take care of their bodies and that doesn’t go badly together with their passion for the sport. Every year they have the chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.
A challenge in many ways
Apparently, the 70-year-old preferred to work with Crosby and Malkin, not against them. The task of planning before a duel against the penguins is never easy.
“It’s always difficult for a coach to match the lines you want to the opponent’s because of these two guys,” he said.
Luckily for the club in black and yellow, their drivers are unlikely to have to deal with that concern. Malkin signed a four-year, $24.4 million deal on July 12, while No. 87 – identified by many as a lifelong Penguin – is holding a pact that lasts until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
In short, if no transaction or an unforeseen event occurs, they will end their careers where they started. For that, fans can thank a team that convinced both skaters to earn a little less than elsewhere.
“You have to pay your stars. However, if you give them a salary of $12 million per season, that becomes a huge challenge for the general manager,” Martin recalled.
The game between the Penguins and the Senators will be televised on TVA Sports on Wednesday.
Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling back soon?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely to have reinforcements soon as former Montreal Canadiens Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling near a return to play.
Petry returned to training Monday after being sidelined since December 10 with an upper body injury. However, like Poehling (upper body), he wore a non-contact shirt.
“I haven’t practiced with other players on the ice for a long time,” Petry said at a news conference, according to the Penguins’ Twitter account. So it was good practice, every day is a step closer [vers mon retour].”
In his debut season with the Penguins, Petry has three goals and 12 points in 28 games while maintaining a plus-4 rating. Poehling, on the other hand, scored four goals and eight points in 31 games.
“These guys are making significant progress,” head coach Mike Sullivan said Monday. That encourages us. We hope that their return will help us.”
Elsewhere, defender Kristopher Letang returned to the team following the death of his father but also wore a non-contact jersey. He will miss Wednesday’s game against the Senators in Ottawa, but his condition will be reassessed daily.