When asked about Zach Aston-Reese getting a chance to play on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, Colby Amstrong said, "It can be a little intimidating for a guy like Zach."
Armstrong would know. Armstrong used to be that guy.
Armstrong was a Penguin from 2005-08. He spent much of that time skating on a line with Sidney Crosby.
Armstrong made the most of it. He and Crosby were NHL rookies at the same time and meshed well.
He thinks Aston-Reese can do the same with Malkin and Kessel.
Aston-Reese fitting in on Malkin and Kessel's line
By
Mark Madden / Pittsburgh Penguins
"There's just so much energy, awesome energy," Armstrong said between periods of the Penguins' 5-3 home win over Boston Dec. 14. "Looking at him tonight, scoring and playing on the same line with those guys...you know it's a good opportunity and you want to make the most of it.
"When I got on Sid's line, I was trying to establish myself, same as him. You get a chance, and you hope it goes well. But you have to bring it. Zach's got a good all-around package, and playing with guys like that can bring it out of him. He's got to have that energy level, and then consistency."
So far, so good.
Aston-Reese had two goals, an assist and a game-high nine hits vs. Boston and was the game's No. 2 star. Kessel netted, too. Aston-Reese got seven hits, again a game-best, as the host Penguins beat Los Angeles the next night, 4-3 on Kessel's overtime goal.
Aston-Reese, 24, is in his second full season of pro hockey.
If Aston-Reese was intimidated playing with Malkin and Kessel, it didn't show and he didn't say so.
"No, I'm kind of over that," Aston-Reese said after the Penguins topped Boston. "I had two [preseason] camps where I was on a line with them. I got all those feelings and emotions out of the way.
"I've just got to play a simple game and make myself available for them. I thought we had a pretty good game as a line."
Aston-Reese sees himself as having a simple job description when skating with Malkin and Kessel.
"The biggest thing is just getting to the net front," Aston-Reese said. "I found myself there a few times [against Boston]. Whether the puck comes to me or not, I'm bringing a guy to me. On Phil's goal, a guy was stuck on me and Phil was able to get a shot off."
Added Armstrong, "When you play with good players, you can hang onto the puck and engage a battle. Kind of like a decoy. Draw guys to you, hang onto it and then flip it to the weak side to get the puck in those guys' hands.
"You're not going to be making plays all the time, but you're sometimes the guy who's going to rag it until one of the big guys comes in with a head of steam. I tried to do that with Sid all the time."
Armstrong thinks Aston-Reese will adjust quickly and well to playing with Malkin and Kessel.
"He's been here long enough now," Armstrong said. "He knows the guys a little bit. Tonight [against Boston is] a big game for him, and not just because of the points. He's got that extra jump in his step. He's been involved physically. It may be one of his best games as a Penguin. He's very involved physically, and he's very involved on the puck."
Armstrong listened to whatever Crosby said. (Crosby is known for instructing his linemates.)
"Sid helped me. He talked to me all the time," Armstrong said. "He wanted me to do well. We were both fairly young. We would say whatever to each other. It wasn't like a young kid getting an opportunity to play with these guys now."
Aston-Reese says the lines of communication are a bit different with Malkin. "He talks a little bit. Mostly in Russian," Aston-Reese said, smiling. "Playing with those guys is more reading and reacting. But there is a little bit of communication."
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
