CRANBERRY, Pa. -- The Penguins devoted about 30 minutes of their nearly hour-long practice on Wednesday at the Lemieux Complex to working on the ailing power play.
The Penguins haven't scored on the power play since Jake Guentzel did so on Oct. 13 in the second period of a 7-2 blowout of the Jets. Since then, the Penguins have had 14 power play opportunities in seven games, and came up short each time.
Wednesday's practice saw Malkin's first complete full-contact practice since he resumed skating, as he works toward a return on Saturday vs. the Oilers. He was incorporated back into the top power play configurations, which saw Justin Schultz and Kris Letang at the points, and Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Malkin rotating in the forward spots.
When asked if the reason for the heavy focus on the power play was a result of the poor results in recent games or just trying to incorporate Malkin back into the fold, Mike Sullivan said it was a little of both.
"We're trying, obviously, to get Geno back involved and get them some reps," Sullivan said. "We haven't had a lot of power plays in the game the last handful of games, so just to get the guys reps and touching the puck. Some familiarity I think is important. We spent a fair amount of time on it today."
Crosby emphasized the same need for familiarity in working with the unit.
"You don't get a lot of time to spend on it," he said. "With guys coming back and different guys moving in and out, it's a good opportunity to spend some time on it and just get familiar and make sure we're executing. We'd like to get more of them, one or two a game, so if we start to get a little more we can take advantage of it."
There's a good chance Malkin will be ready to play on Saturday and be added back to that top unit. Malkin sounded on Monday as if he was physically able to play Tuesday if he was eligible, but he was not yet permitted to return to the lineup because of long-term injured reserve restrictions. He said at the time he was hopeful for Saturday, and that's still the plan.
"Yeah, yeah, for sure," he said about playing Saturday. "I feel like I'm ready to play. I have two more days, we'll see if there's nothing bad. I hope, yeah."
When Malkin does rejoin the lineup, he thinks consistency will be key to getting the power play back on track. The Penguins have used a few different combinations on the top unit, sometimes using two defensemen in Letang and Schultz, or switching to four forwards and incorporating either Patric Hornqvist or Alex Galchenyuk when healthy. Regardless of the combination used, Malkin just wants time for the unit to build chemistry.
"It's like, one game good, one game not," Malkin said. "We still have time to work. We started with four forwards, after I'm injured, Galchy's injury, coach started changing the lines. It's always hard when every game you change the lines. But I think right now with me back, Galchy back, coach gives us more time and we play the same unit longer. I think we'll be fine. We have great lines. Tanger, Schultzy, Sid, Galchy, we have a great unit, Horny in front. We just need time to work it."
Adding Malkin into the mix will change the look of the power play, but not so much the system. And if you ask Crosby, adding Malkin and his skill alone back into the unit should provide more success.
"I don't think we have to change a whole lot," Crosby said. "Geno's going to be able to make plays, and he gets in that spot for a one-timer and he's able to create a lot from either a shot or setting guys up from there. As long as we continue all to move, we're unpredictable. That's the best thing we can do, we don't have to really change. He's going to make plays and we've just got to get open."
MORE FROM PRACTICE
• Everyone was in attendance for practice wearing regular jerseys. No more no-contact reds. Crosby also got rid of the full face shield he wore in Tuesday's game.
• The Penguins didn't use any five-on-five line rushes or pairings during the practice, so there are no new clues as to the potential changes when Malkin slots back in.
• The second power play unit featured Marcus Pettersson, Juuso Riikola, Galchenyuk, Hornqvist, and Dominik Kahun.
• The Penguins cancelled Thursday's practice, which was originally scheduled for 11 a.m. in Cranberry. They're scheduled to practice Friday at the same time.
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