The Pittsburgh Penguins are desperate for someone to break through in their bottom six. Who could be the catalyst that sparks that part of the lineup? PITTSBURGH - Mikael Granlund hasn’t had the greatest run to start his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but maybe playing against his former team will bring an extra level. The Penguins kickoff a three-game homestand with a game against the Nashville Predators, the team Granlund called home for parts of five seasons. “When you play a former team,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “There’s always a little bit of extra juice and motivation to want to play well.” In his 13 games with the Penguins so far, Granlund has only posted three points through a goal and two assists. “I’m sure Granny will bring a lot of juice to the game,” Sullivan said. “We’re hoping he does. He can be an impact player for us.” During his 268 games with the Predators, Granlund was an outstanding playmaker who would regularly slot into the top two lines. Through those games with Nashville, Granlund recorded 51 goals and 111 assists for 162 points. Granlund’s last game with the Predators was against the Penguins, but he hopes to stick to his game no matter the opponent. “It’s always a little weird,” Granlund said. “At the same time, you just go out there and play hockey and try and do your best.” This isn’t the first time Ganlund has played against a former team; around the 2019 trade deadline, he was dealt from the Minnesota Wild to the Predators. In just his second game following the trade, Granlund and the Predators started a home-and-home against the Wild. Granlund didn’t score a point in either game, but did record three shots and the Predators came up on the winning end of both contests. The Penguins need to see more from their highlight of the 2023 trade deadline, and a game against his former team is the perfect time to get on the right track. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Penguins Prospect Owen Pickering Re-Assigned to WBS [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-prospect-owen-pickering-reassigned-wbs] Penguins vs. Nashville: Desperate Times [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-nashville-predators-desperate-times] One Thing You Can Hold Against the Penguins Core [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/one-thing-hold-against-pittsburgh-penguins-core] Penguins Control Their Own Fate as Playoff Odds Take Hit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-control-fate-playoff-odds-hit] Penguins Need More Anger from Mike Sullivan [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-need-anger-mike-sullivan] * undefined * undefined
