The loss of Trevor Daley to a broken left ankle has created more opportunity for the Penguins’ other defensemen.
After being a healthy scratch for three games in the Eastern Conference final against the Lightning, defenseman Olli Maatta returned to the lineup in Game 5 because of Daley’s injury. In the final three games of the series, he had three assists and also had a stretch pass in Game 7 which led to the opening goal by Bryan Rust.
“Everybody has to step up,” Maatta said. “He’s a big loss. Just a leader in the locker room and on the ice.