Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Garrett Wilson insists nothing has changed.
Despite being on pace to record career highs in assists, points and plus-minus, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward said he hasn’t altered his game.
But Wilson admitted it has improved.
Entering Friday’s game against Rochester, Wilson had nine goals, 23 points and was a plus-19, tied for third in the league.
His 14 assists put him on pace to break a career high of 16, and at the midway point of the season Wilson is just 15 points away from his personal best of 38, which occurred in 71 games with San Antonio during the 2014-15 season.
“I haven’t changed anything,” Wilson said. “I’ve been trying to improve my game every season and so far it’s working for me.”
Wilson is one of a handful of Penguin players turning in career seasons as the team remains the best in the AHL. He’s also one of five Penguin players to rank in the top 10 in the league in plus-minus, trailing David Warsofsky (plus-22) and Jake Guentzel (plus-21).
Wilson’s previous season-best was plus-4.
He said the plus-minus stat isn’t always accurate, but it’s still important.
“You take pride in your defensive play,” Wilson said. “I’m happy where it’s at right now. You want to be a guy that coach can throw out in the last minute of a game or in key situations.”
That’s something head coach Clark Donatelli doesn’t hesitate to do with Wilson, who he called one of the leaders on the team.
“Out of everybody on our team, he’s right there with consistency and playing the right way every single night,” Donatelli said. “He’s very reliable. Just a good pro.”
A pro who is still just 25 and is thriving on a Penguins team that is dominating the AHL.
“NHL teams want a winner and anytime you can have a good season while being on a winning team, that brings the experience that helps your career,” Wilson said.
Sestito a scoring sensation
With his game winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 win at Toronto, Tom Sestito has four goals in his last four games. He also has six points and 15 penalty minutes during the span.
Jarry returns
Goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 27 of 28 shots in Wednesday’s win, earning the start after being reassigned by Pittsburgh earlier on Wednesday. Jarry has now allowed two goals or less in seven of his last nine starts.
