The Penguins are back at PPG Paints Arena today for a noon practice after a 6-2 win over the Lightning on Sunday night. I'll have you covered with live updates, and an additional story later this afternoon.
FOLLOW THE PRACTICE WITH LANCE
1:29: Sullivan said this was simply a maintenance day for Fleury. Murray is day-to-day. Kessel, Daley and Chad Ruhwedel missed practice because of an illness.
More to come.
12:37: Wrapping up practice here. Stay tuned for much more.
12:36: Murray is the one in net for this power-play drill. Jarry watching on the other end with goaltending coach Mike Bales.
12:32: On to power-play work now. Nick Bonino, Chris Kunitz and Conor Sheary on one unit. Malkin, Crosby and Hörnqvist on the other. Letang working with Schultz on one line and Määttä on the other. The two defensemen look is interesting. Worked so well with Daley.
12:27: No lines to report with Kessel not here. This practice isn't optional, but it's certainly more informal. More individual skill work being done.
12:23: Practice just took a lighter tone. Five-on-two drills now. The players are having fun with it. Working against Jarry, too. Murray getting the lesser workload with drills for defensemen on the other end.
12:16: Murray showing some rust so far. I'll update you after practice with his status. Wouldn't be shocked if he's the backup Wednesday night. I'm sure the front office wants Jarry in Wilkes-Barre as soon as possible. Tough for a young goalie to develop without game action.
12:13: The Penguins are doing two-on-one drills now. Before starting, Sullivan told his defensemen to "defend it the right way." That means focusing on who the best player of the two is and taking a more mental approach instead of relying solely on instincts.
12:11: A lot of skating so far. Intensity dipped for about 30 seconds, so Sullivan yelled, "Let's go!" Picked back up immediately.
12:10: Everyone is skating besides Fleury, Trevor Daley and Phil Kessel.
12:08: Mario Lemieux is here watching practice. Fans are so fixated on the that they don't notice Lemieux is sitting seven rows back.
12:05: It's Tristan Jarry out here with Murray. No sign of Marc-Andre Fleury.
12:02: Same drill and now every guy has to handle two pucks. They make it look easy, of course.
12:01: The Penguins are running a drill to focus on stronger possession in the neutral zone. Mike Sullivan and Gonchar are swiping at each player as they skate around the faceoff circles inside the blue lines.
11:59: Patric Hörnqvist getting some extra work in. Taking one-timers from the high slot. Crosby is doing the same.
11:57: Sidney Crosby is also out here. Early start for these guys.
11:55: Matt Murray has returned to practice. For real this time, guys.
11:52: Looks like this isn't an optional practice. Evgeni Malkin on the ice early.
11:48: Sergei Gonchar and Rick Tocchet are the first men on the ice. Olli Määttä and Justin Schultz weren't far behind.
11:41: Looks like season-ticket holders are here to watch practice, which explains why this wasn't canceled. I wouldn't expect it to be too laboring. The Penguins are scheduled to practice Tuesday at the Lemieux Sports Complex.
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