Penguins Notebook: Pickering’s ‘Surreal’ Debut & Opportunity; Updated Letang Status

CRANBERRY, Twp — Despite losing leads of 2-0 and 3-0 over the weekend, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is standing pat with the lines from the 4-3 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.

As part of standing pat, Sullivan kept prospects Owen Pickering and Vasily Ponomarev in the lineup.

2019 first-round pick Sam Poulin also maintained his spot on the third line with Drew O’Connor and Jesse Puljujarvi. After dominating the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, the line earned a goal when Puljujarvi finished Poulin’s rebound on Saturday against San Jose.

Pickering was on the third pairing with Ryan Shea, as Ponomarev remained on the wing beside Noel Acciari on the fourth line. The pair are just two of the four rookies in the Penguins lineup.

It’s one part of the process for a young player to ready himself for his NHL chance, and then it’s another to succeed with the chance. But everyone

“I would probably describe it as surreal. I mean, I remember that day and night for the rest of my life. It was a very cool experience, and I’m super grateful to everybody involved,” Pickering said.

In case you were wondering, Pickering spent the off day responding to texts and congratulations. The coaches put Pickering through a film session (as they do everyone), and the rookie got a good look at his first game.

“Obviously, there are things that you always want to clean up, and I can be pretty critical of myself in terms of aspects of my game, but I feel like that’s just helping me get better,” said Pickering. “There are little things I want to clean up, but I feel overall it went pretty well.”

Kyle Dubas has stated on multiple occasions that one of his jobs was to get the Penguins’ prospects into the lineup as quickly as possible so they could learn from Sidney Crosby. The Penguins captain is more of a “lead by example” type of player but is generally lauded by all as one of the best captains in the game. Dubas’s initial plan is working, at least to get the prospects around Crosby.

Thus far, that effort is succeeding.

Crosby worked out quite a bit with Poulin over the summer. He’s gotten to know the other prospects in camp and Crosby specifically noted that Ponomarev was part of last year’s preseason trip to Halifax.

“I don’t know if there is a plan. (Poulin), I skated with a lot this summer. I got to know him pretty well. Owen, between prospects camp and training camp, I’ve gotten to know him a bit … I think it’s more about letting them get comfortable,” Crosby said. “If they have questions, I’m happy to answer them. We’ve got a lot of guys in here who have played for a while and are good examples, so I think between everybody, we provide a good example.

“But, ultimately, it’s up to them to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Kris Letang

The Penguins defenseman has been absent for the last few games due to illness. However, Letang was again absent from practice on Monday.

“Kris skated this morning. He’s feeling a bit better,” Sullivan explained.

Additional Penguins forwards Cody Glass and Kevin Hayes also skated Monday morning in what Sullivan termed “productive sessions.” However, assistant coach Mike Vellucci will be away from the team following a minor medical procedure that he scheduled to coincide with the homestand.

“We’ll divide and conquer (Vellucci’s duties). I’ve already talked to my staff about it,” Sullivan said.

Penguins Lines

The Penguins’ lineup remained the same as the starting lineup for the Saturday win over San Jose. Ryan Graves remained out of the top six, working with extra forward Valtteri Puustinen on a spare parts defense pair, while LHD Pickering was with struggling d-man Ryan Shea.

Anthony Beauvillier-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust

Jesse Puljujarvi-Drew O’Connor-Sam Poulin

Matt Nieto-Noel Acciari-Vasily Ponomarev

Defense

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Matt Grzelcyk-Jack St. Ivany

Owen Pickering-Ryan Shea