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Jerez Preview: Can Anyone Stop the #72?

  Lately, Marco Bezzecchi is making winning look easy. With a flawless hat trick of victories in Thailand, Brazil, and the USA, the #72 has treated the early-season standings like his own personal victory lap. Next stop: Jerez. Will the win streak continue in Spain, or can anyone actually disrupt the rhythm of Bez? The "Global Takeover" in Three Acts: Thailand: To open the season in Buriram, Bezzecchi converted a dominant pole position into a Sunday masterclass. Every lap was led by him, crossing the finish line with a 5.5-second cushion over Pedro Acosta, setting the tone for a flawless start to the season. Brazil: In a treacherous race in Goiânia that was shortened due to track degradation concerns, Bez pulled an ambush at the first corner. He kept his cool on a track that felt more like a gravel pit than a circuit, bringing home back-to-back wins from second on the grid. USA: At COTA - the most technical track they face - Bezzecchi proved he could win anywhere. He...

Update: Crosby Continuing To Be Evaluated For Upper-Body Injury

 







Mike Sullivan said on Thursday, February 6th, that captain Sidney Crosby is continuing to be evaluated for an upper-body injury sustained against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, February 4th.


During the Penguins' morning practice on Thursday, Crosby did an individual workout in full gear on the other rink as the rest of the team practiced together on the other at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. The captain had been skating with both the director of player development Tom Kostopoulos and skills consultant Josh Wrobel.



Head Coach Mike Sullivan on Sidney Crosby: "Obviously, he skated on his own today. That was pre-planned. He's continuing to be evaluated. We'll probably have more information on his status tomorrow."





The Penguins, without Crosby, used the following line rushes on Thursday...


Anthony Beauvillier - Rickard Rakell - Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting - Cody Glass - Danton Heinen

Matt Nieto - Kevin Hayes - Phil Tomasino

Boko Imama - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari


P.O. Joseph - Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk - Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves - David Desharnias



Mike Sullivan stated that Rakell is the middle option in place of the captain, but he added, "let's see what Sid's status is." If he's out for any length of time, "the message is the expectations haven't changed, and it's a next-man-up mindset," Sullivan said. "Guys are always looking for more ice time, want to play a more significant role - here's your opportunity. So, that's the world we live in, that's the NHL. So, when injuries occur, it provides opportunities for others."




After practice, the Pittsburgh Penguins left to head on the road for their two-game road trip to New York City and Philadelphia, the annual Highmark Dads Trip. These two games are the last Penguins games before a two-week break, where Sidney Crosby is set to captain Team Canada from February 12-20 at the 4 Nations Face-Off.


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