Dropping The Gloves
Pascal Dupuis
By Alex Nseir

It would be hard to make a list of all the Penguins, former and current, who have suited up alongside Sidney Crosby. But Pittsburgh winger Pascal Dupuis has been the closest thing to a constant presence on Crosby's line since coming to Pittsburgh from Atlanta last season. The speedy right wing also logs ice time every night on the Pens' penalty kill. PSR contributing writer Alex Nseir caught up with Dupuis after Dan Bylsma's first full practice as head coach to talk about the Penguins playoff chances, the coaching shakeup, and playing with the team captain.

AN: Has the shock of the mid-season coaching change worn off yet?

PD: We're still adjusting, obviously. He comes in with 50 games played, 30 left, you know. It's obviously something we're going to have to adjust to.

AN: What's the biggest difference you've noticed between coach Bylsma and coach Therrien so far?

PD: They're different persons, different coaches. Obviously they're going to bring their individual touch to the game and the system we're going to play, and yes ,there have been changes.

AN: You guys seemed like you were having fun in practice today, but you're still a desperate team. Has desperation turned to panic at all?

PD: No. Obviously every game we play is really important and I think that's the way we're going to approach every single game.

AN: People have said that missing the playoffs is not an option for this team, but do you have any expectations about your season ending with the last game in April?

PD: No we don't. We don't think about this right now. I think like I said we're going to take game (by) game and see what's going to happen.

AN: The trade deadline is coming up and it seems the biggest change will likely be the coaching switch. Do you think you currently have the player personnel to turn this season around?

PD: We're confident in the guys we have in the room right now. And if the management thinks we need some more guys, that decision right now, we can't control it. We just need to win some hockey games.

AN: Do the Penguins need to change the team's mentality more than anything?

PD: The coaching change did that. He brought a little passion, but, you know what, it's us in the locker room, you know, we've got to change our attitude.

AN: Sidney Crosby has had many different line mates, but you've played with him pretty consistently since last year. What makes you a good fit for that top line?

PD: Speed. Speed. I don't know, that's what I think I can bring to the line. I don't change my game when I'm either playing with him or anybody else.

AN: Do you think Coach Bylsma will make better use of your line's speed?

PD: Yeah, he obviously wants us to play at a fast pace and he's going to utilize the fore-check approach and I think it's going to fit our line better.

AN: When you're in a goal-scoring slump, how do you work on getting out of it?

PD: You just keep going the same way you were, you work real hard and mentally it's always hard. But obviously you don't try to think about it and you do what you do best out there.

AN: What would you say to skeptics who say that this team is going to do what every other team has done after losing in the Stanley Cup Final over the past few years?

PD: Let's prove them wrong.