[F]or 26-year-old winger Brett Sterling, scoring twice to help Malkin's team beat Crosby's team, 2-1, Monday morning in Pittsburgh was kind of important for a couple of reasons.
First, Sterling is new to the organization, and goals are never a bad way to make a first impression.
Second, Sterling's scoring touch is his ticket to the NHL. He netted 144 goals for the AHL's Chicago Wolves in the first four years of his career, and his objective is to prove he could do the same if given a chance in Pittsburgh.
"Hopefully I was able to do that a little bit today, but there's a lot more camp to go," Sterling said. "When you're fighting for a spot with this many great guys on the team, it's a tough situation."
Sterling's calling card is his shot. He showed it off Monday when he took a pass from Tim Wallace and wired a shot short side on goalie Brad Thiessen from the top of the left faceoff circle.
"If you need another shooter, hopefully I can fill that role," Sterling said.
For now, Sterling's short-term goal is to earn a spot alongside some top-six NHL forwards in one or two of the six exhibition games on Pittsburgh's schedule.
"You look at these centers. You look at the wings you can play with. Top to bottom, it's one of the best teams in the league," he said. "That's why they're consistently good and that's what you want to come to. You have to fight for your chance, but once you get it, you're with great guys."
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