Penguins Locker Room: Carter Plays Defense, Sullivan Has Jokes (+)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Breaking a seven-game winless streak can feel like a long winning streak. Those shots that before clanged off the post or just missed suddenly find the net. Frustration becomes energy; that extra step is the difference between winning and losing. The Pittsburgh Penguins felt the rush of a much-needed win on Wednesday.

Fellow PHN reporter Dave Molinari and I teamed up in the Penguins locker room following the team’s 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena.

The mood was considerably lighter. Coach Mike Sullivan even had jokes for Jeff Carter following the win.

Injuries to P.O Joseph (lower body) and Jan Rutta (upper body) forced Sullivan to play with four defensemen. Then Jeff Petry was forced to leave the game in the third period. Carter became the unlucky forward to sub as a defenseman.

It became a rallying point for the Penguins, even after Petry returned.