from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

So, what does Sullivan do now?

How does the coach who has answer for everything, answer now?

Evgeni Malkin, the leading scorer in the playoffs, has been a diminishing asset in the post-season. He had 11 points in the first round, seven in the second, six in the third, he has two in four games in the Cup Final. He is a centreman and he has no assists in eight of the Penguins' last nine playoff games. The Predators have basically removed him from the series.

At home, can Sullivan find a way to get Malkin some space and maybe some lost confidence back?

Phil Kessel was a giant on the way to the Penguins' last Cup. This series, he has been invisible off the ice, almost invisible on it. He has one assist in the Cup Final and just one goal in his last nine playoff games. He has nine shots on goal in this series. Last year, against San Jose, he had 25.

Conor Sheary, a 53-point man in the regular season, has one goal in 20 post-season games. Last spring, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin, two thirds of that amazing third line with Kessel, combined for 34 playoff points. Huge numbers. Right now, with Bonino doubtful to play in Game 5 and Hagelin an also-ran in the lineup, the two have combined for eight points. One by Hagelin.

Only Sidney Crosby has been a straight line for the Penguins in the way he has played consistently since Sullivan took over coaching partway through last season.

more