Dan Muse Zeroes In on Young Star's Play After Penguins' Costly Defeat
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Despite the fact that the Penguins suffered an ugly 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets, head coach Dan Muse had nothing but praise for young forward Ville Koivunen.
The Pittsburgh Penguins dispatched an inexperienced short-handed roster to Columbus on Wednesday and encountered a Blue Jackets roster that iced A-listers such as Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and Kent Johnson.
However, the home team got on the board first when Ville Koivunen created a play for Zach Gallant, who deflected a high-speed wrister for a 1-0 lead. That was all the scoring the Penguins could muster in what became a 4-1 loss.
The score wasn't kind to Pittsburgh, but preseason win-loss records aren't as significant as assessments of players, and head coach Dan Muse praised Koivunen's excellent play in every area.
"The poise that [Koivunen] has with the puck, the confidence with the puck," Muse said. "He ability to find that next play, to extend plays, making plays in tight area, he was doing that a lot last year. He was also working away from the puck and in the defensive zone, showing detail, blocking shots. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but I think watching back, some of that really stood out. It's combining all those things and showing that you can make an impact on both ends of the ice."
Star teenager Ben Kindel also impressed with pace and imagination that created two breakaway opportunities. Although unable to capitalize, his creativity in creating threatening opportunities earned the nod of the coaches.
"When you watch him, the way he positions himself, the way he can change speed, you combine that with that sense to put himself in those great spots, then with the stick skills and just the overall abilities. You saw that at the rookie tournament, and I think you've seen it here in practices, and that's not an easy thing for a young player like that."
- Dan Muse
- Dan Muse
In net, Arturs Silovs worked the first half of the game by stopping 12 of 14 shots directed his way before Filip Larsson relieved him. The minor league goalie stopped eight of nine shots in his stint between the pipes.
The Penguins Outshot Columbus, but the Blue Jackets Had Better Goaltending
Pittsburgh had a 25-24 shot advantage over Columbus, but could not produce another breakthrough moment against the Blue Jackets' lineup. The Penguins now turn to a hectic weekend.
They host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and then turn to Saturday evening's game in Pittsburgh, when the team and fans say a warm goodbye to franchise stalwart Marc-Andre Fleury as the Blue Jackets come back to town.
Though development and assessment are the preseason's priority, Saturday will hold special significance: a night of celebration and finality for one of the greatest Penguins goalies ever.
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