PITTSBURGH – With the second half of a back-to-back set ready to get underway, the Pittsburgh Penguins made some unexpected lineup changes. Nothing huge by way of scratches or new faces, but maneuvers within the lines to try and promote more offense.
The Penguins shuffled around their forward groups after losing to the Minnesota Wild under 24 hours ago. Reilly Smith is still on the second line with Evgeni Malkin but is now joined by newcomer Jesse Puljujarvi.
In just his third game with the Penguins, Puljujarvi is being promoted to the Penguins second line. Head coach Mike Sullivan spoke highly of Puljujarvi before the lineup was announced, pointing out the physical advantage his size brings him.
“He uses his size well,” Sullivan said. “He leans on people; he uses his reach. He can create opportunities for his linemates because of it.”
With Puljujarvi’s bump to the second line, Drew O’Connor was pushed to the third with Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell. This feels like a more appropriate spot for O’Connor, who has been playing well this year, but scoring has been a struggle for most of the lineup.
Sullivan also flipped the listed position of Jeff Carter and Colin White on the fourth line. Carter has been moved to center, with White on the right wing.
There wasn’t much change on defense, but John Ludvig is returning to the lineup after missing all of January and the start of February—Ludvig slots in to replace P.O. Joseph on the third pairing.
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