Penguins Make Sweeping Lineup Changes

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are far from pleased with how their trip to Vegas and Arizona went, as they left completely empty-handed. During that second match against the Coyotes, head coach Mike Sullivan adjusted the Penguins’ forward lines, and they seem to have stuck back in Pittsburgh.

After a day off for travel, the Penguins returned home for a practice that saw those lineup movements stay together for the full team skate. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Lars Eller all stuck as the top three centerman, but got fresh faces on their wings.

Bryan Rust was moved back up to the top line with Crosby, Colin White was promoted to the second with Malkin, and Rickard Rakell was bumped all the way to the third group with Eller.

When the Penguins have Crosby, Rust, and Jake Guentzel sharing the first line, that’s when they are usually at their best. It’s a trio that is one of the best analytical lines in the NHL and might finally stick together for the long haul.

Colin White is an AHL recall thanks to an injury to Reilly Smith, but Sullivan hasn’t seemed disappointed with his play at all. It’s only been three games, but he’s already getting a good look in the top six.

Rackell came back from an early injury like a house of fire but has dropped off in production once again. He opened the season with no goals in 19 games played, then notched five in eight games. He’s gone without a goal and only two assists in his last five, all on the first line with Crosby.

The Penguins have been tinkering with their lineup for much of the season, and this is one of the biggest sweeping changes made since the start of the year.