Penguins ‘Exploring Options’: Pettersson, Kapanen Headline Shakeup

With losses come changes. The losses for the Pittsburgh Penguins stretch considerably back into last month, so the abundant changes in personnel deployment Tuesday were pretty much due.

“We’re trying to find some combinations that we think will work for us, and so we’re exploring different options,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday after the team practiced at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

With the losing skid at seven games (0-6-1) going into a game Wednesday against the rival Capitals in Washington, the Penguins shuffled pretty much all their combinations outside of the top two forward lines.

As in, those watching Wednesday could see a bona fide shakeup.

Two moves stood out: Marcus Pettersson moving up to the top defensive pairing alongside Kris Letang, and winger Kasperi Kapanen moving down to a fifth line, which could mean either a demotion from the third line or even a turn as a healthy scratch.

Pettersson had been skating primarily with Jeff Petry, but he seemed pumped to perhaps get a chance to line up next to Letang for a game.

“It’s a privilege to play with him. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Pettersson said. “He has such an offensive upside, and I know that. I just try to be steady next to him.”

It would seem to be a reward for Pettersson, who though it’s only been a month and despite the recent losses, appears to be having one of his best seasons.

“I think I’ve been playing well to start the year,” he said.

Letang would agree.

“He’s been playing really well this year,” he said of Pettersson. “He’s a good two-way player.”

One who is known more for his defensive side, which could be crucial alongside Letang. Pettersson said the key will be communication between the two, who have not spent a lot of time paired together over the years.

Petry’s new partner is P.O Joseph, with Dumoulin moving to a spot with Jan Rutta.

Petry also noted that “the communication has to be there” with a new partner.

Dumoulin, meanwhile, has been struggling some dating to last season – something Sullivan made reference to.

“We all have high expectations of ‘Dumo,” Sullivan said. “He’s a great player. He’s a great pro. He’s been a great Pittsburgh Penguin for a long time.

“There’s no doubt that I know that he’ll work through it.”

Rutta, asked about playing with Dumoulin, took a broad view first – “Hopefully in a winning way?” he quipped, adding, “That’s what we all want, right? In a losing streak, maybe just change a few things to get a better result.”

Among the forwards, the Penguins had enough players to go with five full lines at practice.

That included one where all three guys wore white jerseys: Sam Poulin, Teddy Blueger and Kapanen.

Blueger remains on LTIR, Poulin is a recent recall, and Kapanen has struggled offensively dating to last season. Sullivan, asked whether the trio wearing white jerseys indicated anything about their status, such illness or injury, said it was simply logistical with five lines.

“They all practiced in a full capacity,” Sullivan said, adding to some intrigue over Kapanen specifically.

Kapanen has played frequently on the third line with center Jeff Carter, who seems close to returning after missing the past three games because of an unspecified injury.

Carter sounded as if returning Wednesday is a possibility.

“I’m feeling good,” he said. “It was good to get back out in a full practice and get some line rushes and whatnot going.”

Carter, the senior member of the roster at 37, understands the reason for so many changes.

“You look at our stretch that we’re in right now, sometimes you have to mix things up a little bit and try and build some chemistry in different places,” Carter said. “Hopefully, we can do that (Wednesday).”