In recent games and days there have been plenty of examples of Mike Sullivan circling the wagons and focusing on playing the players he is comfortable with and trusts. Bryan Rust made some waves when he played over 26 minutes in the Winter Classic. Sidney Crosby has averaged 22:38 per game in the last four games (none of which went to overtime), which is slightly less than than 23:03 that Jake Guentzel has been out there. Even Evgeni Malkin, sometimes lightly used as he ages, has been played more than recent season averages with over 20 minutes per game in this stretch.
Mike Sullivan’s ice time delegation is begging Ron Hextall to make a trade
