The Penguins increased Despres' ice time Thursday to 22:29 TOI (including OT) after Christian Ehrhoff left with an undisclosed injury.

The Penguins increased Despres's ice time Thursday to 22:29 TOI (including OT) after Christian Ehrhoff left with an undisclosed injury.

Analysis:

He played better with additional ice, registering five hits, two PIM and four shots. He also set up the game-winning goal with a cross-ice feed, though he wasn't credited with an assist after three other Pittsburgh skaters then touched the puck. He leads the Pens with 97 hits in 30 contests.