Despite mixed results since the holiday break, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been playing some good hockey for the last week-plus.
And two players, in particular, have been making an impact.
Forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Cody Glass – who have been up and down the Penguins’ lineup this season – have been producing in recent top-six roles. They each have two goals and three points in the last three games, and they have been in and out of the top-six for most of the season.
Beauvillier has seen time with both Evgeni Malkin on the second line and Sidney Crosby on the first, and he registered a goal and an assist in Monday’s impressive 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. ‘Tito’ also scored a beauty of a goal in a 5-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.
He had six goals in 19 games to start the season – primarily in a top-six role the as well – and he’s registered just three goals in 25 games when deployed lower in the lineup. Production has been a theme from Beauvillier throughout the season when he is placed in those elevated roles.
“He’s noticeable and making an impact with his speed, his tenacity, he can shoot the puck,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s been hard on the boards, hard on the walls, he’s competing in the puck battles. When he does that, he’s an effective player.”
As for Glass, he’s been a bit more consistent in a top-six role recently, although there were a few games in which he was bumped to the third and fourth lines. Prior to the Penguins’ current 15-day road trip that started Friday in Buffalo, he said he wanted to be more productive – which he has.
He has seen time on Pittsburgh’s second power play unit, and he converted for a goal against Buffalo. He also connected for a crucial, momentum-swinging second-period goal against the Kings after Los Angeles scored on a five-on-three power play and grabbed some resulting momentum. He scored the late goal to put the Penguins ahead, 4-1.
But perhaps even more noticeable than his offensive game awakening is his responsible, mistake-free brand of hockey in all zones – particularly in the defensive zone. Although he wants to produce more as a whole, he’s dialed in with his role as a defensively responsible player.
“Obviously, I’d love to produce more and help the team more,” Glass said prior to the trip. “But I still am in, kind of, my defensive role no matter who I play with. So, I feel like I’m doing the right things, creating good habits.”
