WASHINGTON — Practices can be long for a player on standby in the postseason.
Just ask a healthy scratch.
The Penguins escaped the first round of playoffs without losing any additional players to injury, and Thursday opened their second-round series against the Washington Capitals without having to activate any healthy scratches.
Considering things can change in a heartbeat at this time of year, it has meant a lot of extra practice time for guys such as center Oskar Sundqvist and defensemen Justin Schultz and Derrick Pouliot. Even winger Beau Bennett, whose health status is uncertain, has been a full participant in practices since the playoffs started.