PITTSBURGH – The Penguins’ team speed has been perhaps their biggest asset throughout their run to the Stanley Cup Final. That includes Game 1 against the Sharks on Monday, when San Jose had trouble for long stretches dealing with Pittsburgh’s up-tempo attack.
San Jose will attempt to counter that in Game 2 by inserting arguably their fastest forward. Matt Nieto will play for the first time since May 9, as the Sharks attempt to even the series at one game apiece before it shifts back to SAP Center.
Coach Pete DeBoer would not reveal where Nieto would line up for the game, although the third line left wing with Chris Tierney and Joel Ward, in place of Melker Karlsson, is the best bet. That would leave Karlsson to play on the fourth line in place of Dainius Zubrus.
“We’ll get to that at game time, but [Nieto] brings us speed,” DeBoer said. “He was a big part of our team all year. When he went down, we had some great contributions from guys to fill that hole, but he brings some things that are unique to his skillset that we think can help us.”
Nieto should be fine in terms of conditioning, as his injury was of the upper body variety. He’s been skating for some time, although only recently started taking part in practices with full contact. He’s wearing a large brace that wraps around his chest and left shoulder.
“Feel good and I’ve prepared for it, so I’m ready to go,” said Nieto, who has one goal and two assists in 11 playoff games.
He’ll try to help slow down the Penguins.
“It’s just about making them come all the way up the ice to create offense,” he said. “Once we start turning pucks over in the neutral zone, they’re really quick on the transition attack. Stick pucks behind their zone and forecheck and create turnovers.”
Tommy Wingels said: “Matty is a good player. He’s very active out there on the ice. In terms of using his speed, disrupting breakouts, getting in there on the forecheck, driving the puck wide into the zone – there’s a lot of aspects of his game that we can utilize.”
