Muse Clarifies Use Of Blue Line, Solovyov In Game 5

The 25-year-old blueliner also logged just seven minutes and 33 seconds of ice time during Game 4, when he took the place of Connor Clifton in the lineup on the Penguins' third pairing next to Ryan Shea.

However, Penguins' head coach Dan Muse clarified to Pittsburgh reporters Tuesday that the decision to roll with five defensemen for much of Game 5 wasn't necessarily reflective of Solovyov's play, but, rather, the demands of the game they were playing in.

"I think every game's going to be a little bit different," Muse said. "I think we have some guys on our back end that are capable of logging big minutes. These have been very tight games - they're do-or-die - and we have some guys, too, that are playing high minutes right now and that are able to do that. When you have that, it might limit the minutes of somebody else like 'Solo,' but I think he's done a good job there within the minutes that he's played.

"Whether you play six, seven minutes, or you're playing 15 minutes - or whatever it might be - you've got to make the most of the minutes that you're given, and I think the d-men are doing that right now."

Penguins' Goaltender Artūrs Šilovs Showing Big-Game Prowess In Series Against Flyers

Penguins' Goaltender Artūrs Šilovs Showing Big-Game Prowess In Series Against Flyers After going down 3-0 in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins turned to rookie goaltender Artūrs Šilovs, who has some big-game experience under his belt - and he has delivered.

The 6-foot-3, 208-pound defenseman from Belarus is playing in his first NHL post-season. Solovyov has been solid enough defensively for the Penguins in these two games against the Flyers, but his footspeed is, potentially, a bit of a concern against a fast team like the Flyers, especially late in in these tight-checking games when the general pace of the game intensifies.

In 14 games with Pittsburgh during the regular season, he registered five assists, 10 penalty minutes, and was a plus-1. Between the Calgary Flames, Avalanche, and Penguins, he has a goal and 12 points in 45 career NHL games and has averaged 13 minutes and 46 seconds of ice time per game.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Penguins will make any lineup changes prior to Game 6, which will be played Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.

Penguins Going Back To Same Lineup From Game 4 Was The Right Call

Penguins Going Back To Same Lineup From Game 4 Was The Right Call The Pittsburgh Penguins are going back to what worked in Game 4 ahead of their must-win Game 5 matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers.

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