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Coach Dan Muse praises Penguins' new top-line combo and reveals the plans going forward
Penguins head coach Dan Muse spoke to reporters about the team's new top line, and he has nothing but praise for them and plans to use them moving forward.
The Pittsburgh Penguins mixed up their lineup Friday by putting Kevin Hayes on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. It paid off immediately as the trio helped Pittsburgh rally for a 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
What the new top line did that changed the complexity of the game
Hayes had solid minutes and a +1 rating, Crosby scored twice, and Rust added the decisive goal to give the Penguins a much-needed boost and win against the Blue Jackets.
Early on, the new top-line combination had chemistry, controlling plays at critical moments and creating scoring chances.
Indeed, the move could be a lasting adjustment as the line might stick together for upcoming games, according to head coach Dan Muse.
"I thought he did a good job," Muse said postgame on Friday. "I thought the line was going. They get that one early, and that was big for us, because just the I don't know what it was, five minutes, I felt like we were flat. And so, to be able to go out there and for the line as a whole there to come up with the goal, I thought he had some good moments there in the offensive zone, some good puck pressures when we were getting on it to disrupt the play.
"So, I think anytime you have a first game where the lines are a little bit different, it might take a little bit of time to get going. But I thought there was definitely some good moments there."
"So, I think anytime you have a first game where the lines are a little bit different, it might take a little bit of time to get going. But I thought there was definitely some good moments there."
How this new top line helped the Penguins in their time of need
This adjustment not only consolidated the Penguins' attack but also helped to stabilize the team during a challenging stretch of the season.
With the win, Pittsburgh moved its record to 12-6-5, remaining firmly in the top Wild Card position of the Eastern Conference.
The new line will have a chance to see action again when the Penguins return home on Saturday to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET.
Crosby, Rust, and Hayes all had strong showings, and that top line for the Penguins looks like a combination that can make an impact throughout the rest of the season.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 56 ANSWERS Coach Dan Muse praises Penguins' new top-line combo and reveals the plans going forward Do you like this Penguins' new top line? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 57.1 % |
| No | 24 | 42.9 % |
| List of polls | ||