Valtteri Puustinen has an opportunity to solidify his role with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s been a rocky start to the 2023-24 season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but after a pair of wins and a power play that has found some life, the ship might be back on track soon. The Penguins are still a handful of points out of a playoff spot, but back-to-back wins has at least breathed some life and energy into the team. Since there is still an uphill battle ahead, head coach Mike Sullivan won’t completely say they’re out of the woods but does believe the recent results have been encouraging. “We’re trying to define and refine our game so that we continue to improve and get better,” Sullivan said. “To get some results as of late is encouraging… Certainly the atmosphere and the mood around the team has improved.” Sullivan went on to say that building on that recent success should add to the confidence of the group, something that was never really lost, even during the struggles. No matter how low the Penguins dipped, they never lost their drive to fight for position and there is still a firm belief they can fight for a Stanley Cup. When Kyle Dubas spoke with the media, he noted that the Penguins weren’t in a spot they’d like to be, but neither were multiple other teams around the Metropolitan Division. “Despite the fact that we’re not where we want to be… the other teams in our division are having the same conversations that we are today,” Dubas said. “The positive for us is that we have a chance to get ourselves going in the right direction.” Dubas said it’s a matter of recovering at a higher level than the other Metro teams struggling like the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes. If the Penguins can string together a few wins, especially in the remainder of the month of December where they take on the Hurricanes and New York Islanders, they could be in great position. As always, the Penguins are focused on the game right ahead of them rather than what’s down the line. "We're just going to stay in the moment,” Sullivan said. “I thought we had a spirited practice today, we're going to try to get better every day. Going to look at that one game in front of us and see if we can have success." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YH1S974No[/embed] Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Penguins Organization Releases Defenseman from AHL Contract [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-release-defenseman-ahl-contract] Penguins vs. Maple Leafs: Do It for Dad [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-toronto-maple-leafs-do-for-dad] Scoring Struggles Clouding Perception of Penguins Defenseman [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/scoring-struggles-clouding-perception-pittsburgh-penguins-defenseman] Rickard Rakell Returns to Skating With Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/rickard-rakell-returns-skating-pittsburgh-penguins] Penguins Place Vinnie Hinostroza on Waivers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-place-vinnie-hinostroza-waivers] * undefined * undefined
