PITTSBURGH – It hasn’t been an easy season for Jansen Harkins, but as the Pittsburgh Penguins near their mid-season point, he has started to hit a new level. In the last handful of games, Harkins has been an extremely useful piece to the Penguins depth.
Harkins has recorded four assists over seven games and seemed to have his best performance in a Penguins’ uniform in their loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He was the mastermind behind the Penguins’ opening goal thanks to an impressive sequence.
Harkins battled for a loose puck to force it into the attacking zone then followed it up with some slick stick handling to keep it away from defending Canucks. He finally dropped it off to Marcus Pettersson who let go a bomb for his first goal of the season.
The Penguins fourth line has been a solid group as of late and Harkins’s newfound steadiness is a reason for that. Grouping him with Jeff Carter and Noel Acciari has created a shutdown line that is extremely tough to play against.
“The team’s been playing pretty well lately, I think that helps with consistency and getting some shifts and being able to find a bit of a rhythm,” Harkins said. “When the team’s playing well it kind of reflects on all of the lines.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan recognizes that the fourth line has played to the best of their abilities and praised Harkins for his work.
“I think his confidence has grown,” Sullivan said. “He’s making a few plays. He’s a big part of that fourth line. That fourth line has been really important for us.”
Harkins and Sullivan noted that forward has been trying to simplify his game and utilize his assets to the best of his ability. It’s those talents that have earned him a regular role in the Penguins’ lineup.
“Playing the simple game right now,” Harkins said. “Trying to use what I have. Speed and some physicality. Creating loose pucks and creating scoring chances that way.”
He’s still looking for his first goal as a member of the Penguins, but Harkins is growing into an NHL regular again after fighting through an extremely tough start. Harkins earned an NHL role after being claimed off of waivers, but nothing came from the early results.
After a stint in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Harkins is playing some of his best hockey with a rejuvenated confidence. His new level of play is helping provide speed and grit on the NHL Penguins fourth line that plays in crucial roles every night.
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