WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Mike Sullivan can't stand it when someone broaches the subject of the Penguins' speed, if only because that only occurs in a sour context these days. And within that, it bites at the bigger bravado of skating, which is, of course, the very essence of hockey.
Well, wonderful. Let's see all that put to smart use again.
Remember that last trip across the border?
Leading into that one, the boys were flailing a bit. But they were about about to take off for Toronto amid some characteristic over-the-top hype for the Maple Leafs' start and that of Auston Matthews in particular. Right after that, they'd be bound for Edmonton and Connor McDavid. And at all points in between, Sullivan, Sidney Crosby and everyone else was being besieged by questions about who was the real best player in the NHL.
The captain, as ever, was diplomatic, to a fault, in conceding that McDavid.
The coach, as ever, was indignant that his accomplished team should have to account for such stuff anywhere but on the ice.
To continue reading, log into your account:
