During the Penguins' 45-minute practice Tuesday afternoon, Mike Sullivan's whiteboard looked like it got just as much of a workout as his players' legs.
Sullivan appeared to be in teaching mode for much of the session, which, if the Penguins lose in Game 7 Wednesday night against the Capitals, would be their last practice of the season.
Every healthy player was on the ice, and they seemed to spend a good chunk of the practice going through X's and O's and working through specific in-game scenarios.
That's a bit unusual for the postseason, where practices _ often optional _ are usually just a chance to get out on the ice, get the blood flowing and maintain your feel for the game.
"It was a little different feel out there," winger Conor Sheary said. "But I think we knew that. We knew we had to work on a couple of things, especially after last night. Or the last two games for that matter. I think there's things we need to change and things we need to work on."
Sullivan said there was one thing in particular he hoped to address (though he declined to specify what it was) but said the ultimate goal was helping the Penguins establish more of a consistent offensive attack in the Capitals' zone _ an area they have struggled in this series, even in the wins.
Still, Sullivan added, it's not like one practice is going to completely reinvent the Penguins' game-plan at this point in the season.
"It isn't anything new that we worked on today, as far as a team concept or a tactical strategy is concerned," Sullivan said. "It's more a heightened awareness on some of the options that we might have. We worked on some areas based on what we saw on the film."
Defenseman Brian Dumoulin said it wasn't necessarily a "kick-your-(butt)" type of practice session but said there were certainly specific areas the Penguins were looking to improve after such a dismal effort in Game 6.
And despite that poor effort, Sheary said the overall mood on the ice Tuesday was pretty good. The Penguins have been outscored, 8-2, over the last four periods of play by the Capitals but still have a chance to move on with a win in Game 7 on Wednesday.
"The mood and everything was great today," Sheary said. "I think a lot of guys in this room have been in this situation before. You know that just because you get run out of your own building doesn't mean the series is over.
"I think today we were working on a few things that we think we need to get better at, and we'll go from there."
