Pens Points: Still Breathing

Pens Points…

One area that Sidney Crosby struggled in during this series with the Flyers has been in the face-off dot, an area where he is typically among one of the best. In fairness to Sid, faceoff struggles have not just been limited to him as the entire team has battled issues in the series. [Trib Live] Facing a 0-3 series hole and needing a victory in Game 4 to keep their season alive, the Penguins remained lighthearted at practice despite the task ahead of them. When Crosby caught an errant puck to the head at Friday’s practice the players let out a laugh, giving off a relaxed state before staying alive the next day. [The Athletic $$] Very few players in franchise history have exemplified what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin better than Bryan Rust. Over the course of his 12-year career, Rust has risen from a bottom-six grinder to a mainstay on the Penguins top line alongside Sidney Crosby. [PPG] While the Penguins have been getting contributions from all over this series, one name is still missing from the score sheet. That name is Egor Chinakhov, who has been snake bitten now through five games, but the looks are there, he just needs to start converting those looks into goals. [Pensburgh]

NHL News and Notes…

Starting today and running through May 11th, minus weekends, the NHL will being announcing the finalists for the league’s annual awards. The Ted Lindsay Award will kick off the nominations later today, with all awards to follow and concluding with the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. [NHL] After being swept in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ottawa Senators and captain Brady Tkachuk are facing speculation the two sides could be heading for a parting of ways this offseason, rumors that team general manager Steve Staios was quick to shoot down. [NHL]