The Penguins are locked into a playoff spot. The remainder of the regular season should be used to pursue home ice and favorable seeding for the postseason, but also to experiment.
One thing worth testing is using Jeff Carter on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. Carter has mostly toiled as the Penguins’ third-line center.
Carter skated on Malkin’s left flank when the latter returned to the lineup for his first three games this season following knee surgery. Carter scored twice in the first contest, a 4-1 victory at Anaheim Jan. 11. Malkin assisted on Carter’s second goal and netted two times himself.
The pros of Carter on Malkin’s wing: Carter could take faceoffs. He’s winning 57.3% of his draws to Malkin’s 44.4%. Carter played some at wing with his prior team, Los Angeles, so he not a novice at the position. Carter’s experience and instinct from playing center might help him spot and cover for Malkin’s turnovers and defensive lapses.
And, of course, Carter is an accomplished finisher: 412 career goals, 13 this season. He could convert Malkin’s playmaking.
Evan Rodrigues would be third-line center. Center might be his best spot.
The cons of Carter on Malkin’s wing: At 37, Carter is not a fleet forechecker like the Penguins prefer at wing. Carter would have to handle more minutes, which isn’t conducive to his age. (Third-line center is ideal for Carter in that aspect.)
This isn’t a foolproof idea, but the Penguins have 34 games left. Try some things. Every combination that might work should be considered.
