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Penguins GM giving the fans the team they wanted

Maxim Lapierre was acquired from the Blues on Tuesday for Marcel Goc. ( Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)

Maxim Lapierre, right, was acquired from the Blues on Tuesday for Marcel Goc. ( Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)

A review of Jim Rutherford’s moves this season shows he has fully embraced the mandate he was given when he was named general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins last summer.

Ownership and fans wanted a roster designed for playoff competition, and Rutherford is delivering that.

His acquisition of Maxim Lapierre from St. Louis on Tuesday night is another example of Rutherford aggressively maneuvering in an effort to make the Penguins grittier for the postseason.

Since taking over, Rutherford has brought in Patric Holmqvist, Nick Spaling, Steve Downie, Blake Comeau, Christian Ehrhoff, David Perron and Lapierre, all veteran players with the ability to give the Penguins a new look in the playoffs when the team didn’t seem suited for postseason. Also counting backup goalie Thomas Greiss, Rutherford has changed 40% of the top 20 players.

Lapierre is viewed as a super pest, and he seems particularly valuable in playoff series. He has played in 75 NHL postseason games and he had to be among the most disliked player on the ice in many of those games. He is difficult to play against.

Downie was also brought in for the same reason, and he leads the Penguins with 152 penalty minutes. Comeau is third on the team with 97 hits and Spaling has the kind of versatility that comes in handy in the playoffs. He’s a valuable role player who can slide into a second-line role if needed.

Hornqvist wasn’t brought in to be a heavy hitter, but he goes forcefully to the net, and he can score tough goals on deflections and rebounds when checking is heavy.

Perron was brought in to be a scoring winger, but has some prickliness to his game.  He’s feistier than the Penguins thought he was.

It is difficult to see clearly what this team will be like in the postseason because it has been overrun by injuries. The Pens get help tonight with Sidney Crosby returning to the lineup against the Washington Capitals.

But there there is no doubt that Rutherford is serving his constituency. The passionate fans in Pittsburgh wanted a Penguins team that was designed for the playoffs, with more snarl and fire in their bellies, particularly in the third and fourth lines  Rutherford is giving them exactly what they wanted.

Your games tonight

Toronto at New Jersey, 7:30

Pittsburgh at Washington, 8

Chicago at Los Angeles, 10:30

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