FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —How are the Pittsburgh Penguins different?
The Penguins under coach Dan Muse are a much different team than they have been. Their 5-2-0 record speaks to a level of success they have not enjoyed in October for some time, and the new vibe has piqued the veterans' interest, too.
The internal atmosphere isn't the only thing different. Muse has overhauled the team's style of play, which has combined well with Dubas's injection of new and young players.
Two-time defending Stanley Cup champion coach Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers has noticed. And he used the same words that Muse likes to use.
"They have really good connected speed, I would describe it that way. They come together, they move together," Maurice said. "There's not nearly as much stretch in the game to one-on-one play. But they are very, very good at making plays in tight areas with speed. So they've earned it. I don't think they've been lucky. I think they've earned their start."
Maurice's answer would be music to Muse's ears, as he noted the small, connective play.
In this corner, Caleb Jones of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Seth Jones of the Florida Panthers .
The brothers played together briefly with the Chicago Blackhawks , but have faced each other a few times throughout their careers. No, they haven't taken any roughing penalties against each other like the Joseph brothers did a couple of seasons ago–but Caleb thought it would be pretty funny to see his mom's reaction if they did.
"I played with him for a couple of years, and then I've actually only gotten to play against him once, so it's still something kind of new, but I think I got the better of him a couple of years ago ( Colorado vs. Chicago)," Caleb said. "So hopefully that trend continues. But it's something you cherish today. You never know how many times you can do it. You want to make sure you enjoy the moment, and you kind of have fun with it."
Anthony Mantha -Evgeni Malkin - Justin Brazeau .
A line with an average size of 6-foot-5, and Malkin is the runt at 6-foot-3. They have combined for 10 goals and 24 points in the first seven games.
They have been the Penguins' most productive line.
"We're able to keep those pucks in the zone, and we're able to make plays and win our one-on-one battles," said Mantha. "(Puck wins) gives us extra time with the puck, and when Geno has extra time with the puck, good things happen, and we've just been able to find the back of the net."
Another big part of the lineup has been Justin Brazeau's emergence as a finisher. Brazeau has five goals in seven games as he chases his career high of 11 set last season.
"It's hard to examine a guy when you're playing on his line … we're able to keep the pucks down low, and he's a big part of it. He's close to the net, around the net pretty much on every shift," said Mantha. "And you kind of need that guy right there to jump on those loose pucks in tight or down low. And he's been doing a great job at it. So he's keeping pucks alive for us. And G and I are just trying to rotate through the zone a little bit more."
I'm a bit partial to the Triple Tree line.
The post Penguins Notebook: 'They've Earned It,' Maurice on Pens' Changes; Jones v. Jones appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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