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Red-hot Bruins visit up-and-down Penguins (Jan 07, 2018)
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins play their final game before an off week Sunday at PPG Paints Arena.
They have similar aims, even though their recent paths have been different.
Boston (23-10-6) looks to build on a winning streak it ran to three games Saturday -- while improving to 8-0-1 in its past nine -- with a 7-1 drubbing of Carolina behind four goals from Patrice Bergeron.
"It's just a combination of paying attention to details," veteran defenseman Zdeno Chara told the Boston Globe about the reason for the Bruins' surge. "I think that's very important that you do those little things that are important.
"And execution. A lot of things can be drawn on the board and said in the meetings but you have to go out there and execute. I think that's been a big difference for us. We've been able to do those things and play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. It's been fun. The hard work really paid off. It's fun winning."
Boston coach Bruce Cassidy can't dispute that.
"We're enjoying it, with still a thought with some things that are coming we're going to have to fix," he said.
Pittsburgh (21-19-3) is a more modest 5-5 in its past 10. It has been stuck in a pattern of following a big win with a miserable performance.
Most recently, the Penguins had one of their flatter games Thursday in a 4-0 loss at home against Carolina, then on the turnaround got a four-point night from captain Sidney Crosby in a dominant 4-0 road win Friday against the New York Islanders, a game they might finally be able to build on.
"Sometimes I think it's easy to forget how difficult it is to win," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "We've got to have a playoff mindset right now.
"That's the identity that we're trying to play to each and every night. And that's the standard that we have to hold ourselves to each and every night. We've had some nights where we really liked our game, and (Friday) was one of them. We've had other nights where, for whatever reason, we haven't been there. It's been difficult from my standpoint as the coach to put my finger on it -- why? We're all trying to figure it out together as a group."
The Penguins will be trying to win two in a row for the first time since Dec. 1-2.
It wouldn't hurt to have Crosby turn in more production like Friday's, when he had a goal and three assists. It was his first goal in nine games.
For the first time, Crosby centered rookies Daniel Sprong and Dominik Simon. Sprong, in particular, thrived on his right wing, with two goals and an assist.
"He's the best player in the league," Sprong said of Crosby. "I just try to find open space and try to put myself in a good spot, and when I get the puck I just try to look for him and let him make the plays. It was exciting to play with him. He made me pretty comfortable out there. Our line played well as a unit."
The Penguins are expected to face Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask, who is 12-0-1 in his last 13 starts and hasn't lost in regulation since Nov. 26.
Pittsburgh's goalie situation is a little murkier. The Penguins did not practice Saturday, and it's unclear which goalie will start Sunday.
No. 1 goaltender Matt Murray has been a little uneven this season, while rookie backup Tristan Jarry is coming off the shutout against the Islanders.
Jarry also got something of a surprise start Tuesday at Philadelphia, although he had to leave that game because of a hand injury that cleared up before Thursday.
