Penguins Mike Sullivan: Adversity Makes Us Better People, Better Team

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan talked about the Penguins surge from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the top of the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh Hockey Now also asked Sullivan if the Penguins “swagger” is back. 

Sullivan delved into the mindset of losing and battling through it, “Sometimes it feels like you’re never going to win a game.”

He also praised the Penguins leadership for staying humble, “There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and we always want to be on the right side of that. And I think that goes back to the leadership we have. I think we have a group that carries itself with humility,” he said. “Anytime you go through adversity, it makes us better people, it makes us a better team.”

The Penguins have won eight in a row and 13 of their last 16 games. It’s a turnaround which began with Patric Hornqvist’s hat trick against Colorado on Dec. 4. The Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks, Sunday night at PPG Paints Arena. A win could put the Penguins in sole possession of first place in the Metro Division, ahead of the Washington Capitals.

Saturday, Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz skated for the first time since suffering a broken leg on Oct. 13 against Montreal.