As the Penguins surge, defenseman P.O Joseph enjoys a bigger role

It was a pretty simple play.

Get the puck out of danger, and let the forwards take care of the rest.

In this case, forward Drew O’Connor was in charge of “the rest” and connected on what proved to be the winning goal early in the third period of a 3-2 home victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 28.

However, the sequence was initiated by a basic but essential play by defenseman P.O Joseph.

Collecting a bouncing puck just above his own crease, Joseph smacked it off the right wing boards and, essentially, banked an outlet pass for O’Connor and linemate Sidney Crosby to do their thing.

JUST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED! ???? pic.twitter.com/AY6zH2lJOb

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 29, 2024

“I just wanted to clear it a little bit,” Joseph said. “Saw Sid going out in the offensive zone. Just wanted to make a play to him and (let) his talent and skills take over.”

A handful of months ago, such a display by Joseph might not have happened.

And it wasn’t necessarily because he wasn’t capable.

It was because he wasn’t in the lineup.

Be it because of injuries or healthy scratches, Joseph appeared in only 22 of the Penguins’ first 52 games. And given that he typically was deployed on the bottom pairing in those 22 games, he averaged only 13 minutes, 4 seconds of ice time during that stretch.

But starting with a 5-4 overtime home loss to the New York Islanders on Feb. 20, Joseph has played in each of the past 25 games.

And Joseph hasn’t just been a name on the lineup card. He primarily has played on the top pairing with Kris Letang during that stretch while averaging 16:01 of ice time.

And all of this has come as the Penguins have made a desperate push to climb back into postseason contention.

“We have been battling for a playoff spot for a long time,” Joseph said. “Whatever is (happening) right now, it’s been from us working hard and having the same mindset from this last month.”

Joseph provided a strong salvo in a recent battle, a 4-1 road win against the Washington Capitals on Thursday. During the first period, he scored the eventual winning goal off a primary assist from Letang.

Two shots on goal for the Penguins = two goals for the black and gold! pic.twitter.com/vK2PUE1v7B

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 4, 2024

Natives of Quebec, Joseph and Letang might be closer off the ice — they are roommates in Pittsburgh — than they are on it.

Even before Joseph became a full-time NHLer last season, Letang was a huge booster of Joseph and often suggested — without solicitation — that Joseph could be an impactful player.

“I speak highly of him because when I watched him the first few times, I saw the skillset he possesses,” Letang said. “After that, it was just a question of playing more games, getting experience. It’s just going to grow. … With him, I saw it right away that his game was to a certain speed. He just needed to get experience.”

Throughout much of his career, Letang often has been paired with defensive-oriented partners such as Brian Dumoulin, Mark Eaton and Brooks Orpik.

Does Joseph fit that bill?

“He’s playing his game,” Letang said. “He doesn’t have to be the guy next to me just focusing on playing defense. He has to play his game, and his game is a good two-way game. He skates really well. He can break out the puck. He’s got instincts offensively. He has to play that game. If he wants to spend a long career in the league, that’s the game he’s going to bring because that’s what suits him better.”

Management appears to be well-suited with using Joseph in an elevated role.

“His second half (of the season), he’s certainly played significantly better,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “There was volatility in his games the first half. To his defense, we were also trying to figure out what we had as a group. We had some new guys come in in training camp, and there was competition for those spots. So we were trying to figure out what we had as a group of defensemen in the first half also.

“Could have that waded into part of P.O’s first half? Possibly. But I think he’s played extremely well most recently.”

His improved play has been a significant component of the Penguins’ surge.

“I’m just happy to be a part of it and being able to prove to myself and to the team that I want to be here and that I deserve to be here,” Joseph said. “I’m here to battle with these guys every single night.”

Note: The Penguins canceled a scheduled practice on Sunday.