The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for their clash against the New Jersey Devils, wrapping up their final practice session on Wednesday. After some intensive training earlier in the week, they kept it short and sweet this time, clocking in under an hour.
A fresh face on the ice was Samuel Girard, newly acquired from the Colorado Avalanche. Girard found himself paired with veteran Kris Letang, sparking excitement about their potential as a dynamic duo. If this pairing doesn't gel as hoped, Girard might shift to the third pair alongside Connor Clifton or Ilya Solovyov, while Ryan Shea could step up to join Letang.
Girard brings a much-needed puck-moving prowess to the Penguins' defense, excelling in transitions and zone exits. He’s thrilled about his new home in Pittsburgh, expressing his excitement about joining such a storied organization.
Unfortunately, the Penguins will be without their star, Sidney Crosby, for at least four weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympics. Stepping into the spotlight, Rickard Rakell took over as the center for the top line in practice, flanked by Avery Hayes and Bryan Rust.
Rust emphasized the importance of the "next man up" mentality, highlighting the need for everyone to elevate their game in Crosby's absence. Ben Kindel is among those ready to embrace a larger role, confident in his ability to contribute more to the team's success.
The Penguins have faced their share of injuries this season, but losing Crosby as they head into a challenging stretch of games is a significant hurdle. After their matchups with the Devils and the Rangers, they’ll be up against a series of playoff contenders.
Here's a look at the practice lines:
Forwards:
- Avery Hayes - Rakell - Rust
- Kevin Hayes - Novak - Malkin
- Mantha - Kindel - Brazeau
- Dewar - Lizotte - Acciari
Defensive Pairs:
- Wotherspoon - Karlsson
- Girard - Letang
- Shea - Clifton
Kevin Hayes filled in for Egor Chinakhov on the second line, as Chinakhov welcomed a new addition to his family. Chinakhov is expected to return for Thursday’s game, which means Hayes will likely shift back to his role as the 13th forward.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, and the Penguins are ready to prove they can thrive even without their captain.