Simon moves to top line with Crosby, Guentzel

“He makes plays,” Sullivan said. “Even though he might not score, his line scores, and usually when his line scores, he is a part of it.”

Simon does have one point, an assist, in the series, which is one more point than Crosby, Guentzel and former top-line forward Bryan Rust can say after two games.

“Every shift you want to use it as much as you can and create momentum and score goals when you are on the line,” Simon said. “That is the first focus when you are on that line.”

Sullivan offered reasons why Simon got the nod on the top line.

“He’s a guy that’s good in traffic,” he said. “He’s good in battle areas, he’s strong on the puck. He’s got a good 200-foot game, he’s sound defensively, and he’s a sound playmaker. Even though he hasn’t had the finish we would hope he would develop over the course of the season, there’s a lot of attributes in his game that helps his line have success.”

Simon had eight goals and 20 assists in 71 games during the regular season. Since Jan. 19, he has scored just once and he is riding a 12-game streak without a goal, counting playoffs.

This isn’t the first time that Simon has been paired with Crosby and Guentzel.

“For sure, it helped that I played there before,” Simon said. “I don’t think about it anymore. It’s an unbelievable line to play with those guys.”

Rust was dropped to the third line with Nick Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist. Rust has gone nine games without a goal, counting playoffs, and has one goal in his past 15.