RSS Penguins Team Notes

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Canadiens Recap: Pens shutout, lose again

Pregame​

Everything is different tonight for the Penguins, besides the Wotherspoon-Karlsson pair. Tommy Novak is back on the first line and Rickard Rakell is the latest in a long line to try at the second line center spot that Pittsburgh has been trying to fill in Evgeni Malkin’s absence. Ville Koivunen is back from being a healthy scratch and with his familiar, fellow youngsters. The fourth line says goodbye to Danton Heinen for the night as he becomes a scratch. On defense, the long-standing Kris Letang-Ryan Shea pair is no more for the first time since training camp. Connor Clifton gets a jersey and Stuart Skinner makes his second start with the Pens.

Tonight’s lineup in MTL pic.twitter.com/72dNYRiOAB

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 20, 2025

The home Canadiens are working with these formations as they call it in French.

La formation de ce soir

Tonight's lineup#GoHabsGo | @mtlgazette pic.twitter.com/PYU6pdavVu

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 21, 2025

First period​

Pittsburgh gets a power play early, it is poor recording no shots and seeing a crossbar get hit behind Skinner.

Kevin Hayes gets a breakaway for the Pens’ first shot, goalie Jacob Fowler stops him and then Noel Acciari too on the follow-up chance.

Skinner makes a flurry of great saves on Joe Veleno.

Hayes takes the first Pittsburgh penalty, the Canadiens strike after holding a lot zone time. Cole Caufield feeds Juraj Slafkovsky and he slings a shot from the front into the net. 1-0 MTL, 3:19 to go in the first.

Slaf nous offre notre premier cadeau de Noël

Elf on the shelf but make it Slaf going top shelf #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/38zY9rPPPc

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 21, 2025

A series of unfortunate events before the end of the period. Wotherspoon toepicks, the result is a clean lane for Owen Beck to skate in. Pretty shot to the top beats Skinner, it’s 2-0.

LE PREMIER DE BECK DANS LA LNH!!!

BECK'S FIRST NHL GOAL!!!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Kx8zxsll5j

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 21, 2025

Would have been nice to get out of that period only down by a goal, that wasn’t the end result though. Shame Skinner gave up two goals, he had a couple really nice saves and was about the only Penguin player to do much of anything positive.

Second period​

Connor Dewar gets a great chance early on from a sublime pass from Erik Karlsson, better stop by Fowler.

Sidney Crosby got smacked in the face inadvertently by the stick of Kulak. Not great! Crosby goes to the locker room for repairs but is back soon after.

Karlsson shows off his playmaking chops again to put a cross-ice pass on the stick of Justin Brazeau. No finish again.

On Crosby’s first shift back, the first line gets some o-zone time. Nick Suzuki gets rushed and clears the puck over the window to create the second Pittsburgh power play of the night. It’s Montreal who scores. Bryan Rust makes a no look pass to an area that there isn’t even a Penguin player. It turns into another Anderson SH breakaway, this time he doesn’t hit the crossbar. 3-0 game.

Joyeux Noël et bonne année de la part du 17

Season’s greetings from Josh Anderson#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/xMGZSFHzSU

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 21, 2025

Second gets to the end, only five shots aside for each team. One is cruising, the other sinking.

Third period​

The Pens keep working, Fowler is in the zone. Hayes gets a chance but can’t score on the rebound.

Lane Hutson goes to the penalty box for cross-checking, Crosby stays on the ice for the full 2 minutes that goes by without a goal.

Pittsburgh pulls Skinner with 7:20 to play when they get an offensive zone faceoff. Why not? Despite having the extra player the Pens still end up chasing the puck for the most part. Montreal misses a few open looks but finally puts the dagger in with 2:58. 4-0.

Some thoughts​

• Line changes were a must after seven straight losses, good to see some fresh ideas implemented for this one. Muse has long been, um, musing over using Rakell as a center dating back to training camp, an idea that had to be shuttered when Bryan Rust got hurt and then Rakell himself took injured. Down Malkin, it makes sense to give it a go, though I assume the Pens will find out what the Ducks did many years ago in that Rakell will be more effective in the long haul on the wing. They just need a short-term patch for now though.
• Not sure Kulak will have much more luck than Shea did with Letang but that’s also worth the ol’ switcheroo at this point to see if change can be beneficial.
• Novak got buried with a big hit along the wall on the first shift. A fun game to play while watching Novak is to watch him get destroyed with a hit (he’s willing to hold the puck longer than most, so he ends up getting hit a lot; not a knock just willing to take the hit to extend his opportunity to create). See if Novak retreats to the perimeter or becomes ineffective for the next few shifts or period. Appeared to be the case tonight.
• Beck scored last week in the PIT/MTL game but his goal got called back after a Pittsburgh challenge and official review. He’d get his revenge in this game tonight by scoring again; they couldn’t take it away this time.
• Jacob Fowler vs the Pens: 2 starts, 2-0, .971 save%. Jacob Fowler in his other two NHL games (vs PHI and NYR): 0-1-1, .836 save%, 8 goals allowed in the two games. It wasn’t like Pittsburgh didn’t have chances, Moneypuck had them at 5.15 expected goals the first meeting on Dec. 11 (2 actual goals) and 3.61 one tonight (0 goals).
• The only good news is presumably the Habs will resort to not playing Fowler tomorrow in Pittsburgh. Though at this point, I wouldn’t put it past them.
• Parker Wotherspoon has been so good for the Penguins this season. Solid player, done very well in a big role (and not an easy job) of playing with Karlsson and often times the Pens’ first line that doesn’t exactly play tremendous defense. Wotherspoon has been reliable, a great story so far. When even he is tripping for no reason like he did in the first to let his guy go in unmarked and score, well, that’s an unnecessary signal that it’s just not going their way right now. The mistakes, accidents, blunders, all rising. The amount of confidence and quality play, way down. It can be difficult to correct, it isn’t that tough to diagnose that when in the midst of an eight-game losing streak it’s pretty much like a virus that has infected the whole team at this point.
• You also kinda knew, or could have gotten a strong suspicion about this one based on the early minutes when the Pens had a power play and it stumbled. Not that one power play is a make or break so much as nothing has changed from the top players looking like they’re in a complete fog. Other than Karlsson, who was great with his vision and passing, the rest of the top Pittsburgh players remain shaky, if visible at all. Rust, Crosby, Rakell, Mantha, goes for them all. That’s the top power play group and once again not moving the needle much. It was on display from the very start.
• Related: how the hell is Ben Kindel not on the top power play?
• The Bob Grove stat of the night is fittingly a sad one: today marks the ninth time the Pens have been shutout in back-to-back games. So much for putting on a good show on the Dad’s trip.

Rematch tomorrow in Pittsburgh. The Habs should be looking forward to it, at least.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-recaps/70605/penguins-canadiens-recap-pens-shutout-lose-again

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Game Preview: Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins 12/21/25

Who: Montreal Canadiens (19-12-4, 42 points, 2nd place Atlantic Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (14-11-9, 37 points, 5th place Metropolitan Division)

When: 7:00 p.m. eastern

How to Watch: Broadcast locally Sportsnet Pittsburgh, streaming on ESPN+

Pens’ Path Ahead: The Pens go right back to Canada for a game on Tuesday night against the Maple Leafs before making it to their December 24-27 holiday break. Can’t come soon enough!

Opponent Track: Montreal came into the December 11th game against the Pens at perhaps a season rock bottom following a 6-1 drubbing to Tampa. The Habs 4-1-1 since that moment (including two wins against Pittsburgh) for a nice little turnaround.

Season Series: Tonight will be the last of the meetings between the Pens and Canadiens this year, and not a moment too soon for the Pens with the way things have gone so far after Montreal defeated them 4-2 on Dec 11th and 4-0 last night.

Getting to know the Canadiens​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Zack Bolduc

Juraj Slafkovsky – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov

Alexandre Texier – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson

Joe Veleno – Owen Beck – Brendan Gallagher

DEFENSEMEN

Mike Matheson / Noah Dobson

Lane Hutson / Alexandre Carrier

Arber Xhekaj / Adam Engstrom

Goalies: Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler

Potential scratches: Jayden Struble, Philip Danault (?)

Injured Reserve: Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach

• Danault didn’t play last night after his recent trade back to the Habs, we’ll have to see if he’s available to make his re-debut with Montreal tonight.

Season stats
via hockeydb

• It’s nice to see a team a few times within 10 days to learn more about them. Fowler definitely looks like he will live up to the hype (though as pointed out in the recap, so far he’s had two great outings against the Pens and then not been sharp in his other starts. Annoying!). Suzuki and Caufield are masters. Slafkovsky has impressed scoring a goal in both MTL/PIT games.
• Demidov has been good in his rookie season, but was very quiet last night. No shot attempts in only 14:21 of ice time during a comfortable win. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of rookie wall he hits, if one at all.
• Montreal adding Danault back in a trade, for the cost of only a second round pick, looks like a great move for them to make. Danault’s point production can be hit or miss but he is a very reliable checking center and good away from the puck. The Canadiens have enough firepower and guys who can take care of the offense, they could use a player with Danault’s skillset to boost them down the middle.

And now for the Pens​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Tommy Novak – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Anthony Mantha – Rickard Rakell – Justin Brazeau

Ville Koivunen – Ben Kindel – Rutger McGroarty

Connor Dewar – Kevin Hayes – Noel Acciari

DEFENSEMEN

Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson

Brett Kulak / Kris Letang

Ryan Shea / Connor Clifton

Goalies: Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs

Potential Scratches: Danton Heinen, Ryan Graves, Jack St. Ivany

IR: Blake Lizotte, Evgeni Malkin, Filip Hallander, Caleb Jones

• Dan Muse surely had some time to think on the way home last night from Montreal about how his changes (reflected above) worked out. In one sense, it wasn’t the absolute worst. They generated 3.6 expected goals according to MoneyPuck and were stymied by Fowler. That doesn’t put any actual goals on the board but could be some evidence to support giving the changes a little more time to see if they can figure it out before shaking it up again.
• Presumably will be Silovs in net tonight, he like the Pens could use a slump buster. Silovs is 0-3-4 in his last seven decisions and hasn’t notched a victory since November 6th against Washington. Maybe he and the team are due for something good to happen? That hope is about all you can hang your hat on right now since all the recent evidence is not very encouraging.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/penguins-...ntreal-canadiens-pittsburgh-penguins-12-21-25

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Penguins @ Canadiens

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/70271/gamethread-penguins-canadiens

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

The week ahead: Penguins losing streak is over; how it changed expectations

The Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a couple of losing streaks on Sunday night with their 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The most important streak it snapped is the eight-game losing streak they were on. Arguably the more satisfying streak that it snapped was their nine-game shootout losing streak that went all the way back to the early stages of the 2024-25 season.

Ending both streaks is important.

They needed something positive to happen on the ice to just change some of the vibe around the team.

They needed to win a shootout just to stop giving away extra points.

Arturs Silovs needed to win a shootout just to change one of the narratives around him. He has now stopped three of the past four shootout attempts he has faced. So there is that. That is something.

But now that all of this happened and the Penguins are back in the win column, what does it mean for the team as they get ready to head into the holiday break later this week? After Sunday’s win the Penguins own a .557 points percentage, which would be a 91-point pace over an 82-game season. That is 11th place in the Eastern Conference, and two points off the pace of the current playoff cut-line, which is at 93 points entering the week.

When the losing streak began, the Penguins had the third-highest points percentage in the Eastern Conference, the sixth-highest in the NHL, and were comfortably in a playoff position. Given that it was already two months into the season, it was not unreasonable to start thinking about the playoffs. The expectations for the season changed based on the early results.

Now that the losing streak has happened and they find themselves in their current position, it is not unreasonable to think that the expectations have changed again and reverted back to their preseason level. Their current place in the standings is probably about where most people expected them to be. They are not as bad as the results during their losing streak. They are probably not as good as their 8-2-2 start. They are most likely somewhere in the middle. Which is what their overall record for the season is.

Call it regression to the mean. Call it water finding its level. Call it back luck. Whatever it is, the Penguins are currently where we thought they would be in late December. Clearly not the worst team in the league. Clearly not a definite playoff team.

Injuries have certainly played a role in the streak. Evgeni Malkin’s absence has been significant and not only taken away a key leader and point-producer, but also limited the effectiveness of Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau on the second line.

Blake Lizotte’s absence has completely ruined the penalty kill (or at least contributed to it).

But it would it be unwise to just chalk everything up to that.

The defensive problems we all know are present on the roster are starting to get exposed more and more. They basically have one defensive pairing that can be truly relied on (Erik Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon), and even that has slumped recently.

The goaltending, which was always going to be a wild-card with this team, has significantly regressed.

You can put together a compelling argument that the return of Malkin and Lizotte will improve the scoring and the forward depth. I am not sure there is anything that improves the defense or makes the goaltending more consistent. That is where the lowered expectations come in. Because we saw all of those things on display over the past two weeks.

The Penguins have two games this week sandwiched around the holiday break, and in what feels like a broken record to say at this point, they are both winnable.

On Tuesday afternoon they play a Toronto Maple Leafs team that looks like it is just waiting for a coaching change. They are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, they have some of the worst underlying and possession numbers in the league and even Auston Matthews looks like a player that does not have anything going on for him right now.

After the Christmas break they play a Chicago Blackhawks team that is not only still one of the worst in the NHL, but is currently without its best player — Connor Bedard — and looks even more uncompetitive without him.

Maybe they get four points out of this week. Maybe that puts them back into a playoff position for now. Either way, this team largely seems to be what we thought it would be and where we thought it would be. It just has taken a very strange and unexpected path in getting there.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/...ng-streak-is-over-how-it-changed-expectations

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Sidney Crosby passes Mario Lemieux, sets new Penguins all-time scoring record

Sidney Crosby moved to the top of the Penguins’ all-time scoring list on Sunday evening, passing franchise legend Mario Lemieux with a goal and an assist in the first period during the team’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby entered Sunday’s game trailing Lemieux by one point, tying and setting the new scoring record with 1,724 points.

After setting the new scoring record, a tribute message from Mario Lemieux played at PPG Paints Arena, bringing the crowd to its feet.

From one to another…

A message from Mario moves PPG Paints Arena to its feet pic.twitter.com/ZbsQUCyeEo

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) December 22, 2025

“Hey Sid, congratulations on passing me with 1,724 points,” Lemieux said. “I knew when we played together in 2005 that you were gonna be a very special player and accomplish a lot of great things in your career. Here we are 20 years later. You’re one of the best to ever play the game. You’ve been a great ambassador for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Hockey League, and the hockey world. I just would like to wish you all the best the rest of the way and again, congratulations. Well done.”

During the ensuing intermission, Crosby spoke about how much respect he has for Lemieux and their friendship.

"I have a ton of respect for Mario… it means a lot… that friendship, and what him and his family mean to me, is a lot."

Sidney Crosby on becoming the franchise's points leader pic.twitter.com/ts9cxsTjRH

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) December 22, 2025

“Obviously, I have a ton of respect for Mario and everything he’s done for this team and for hockey in general, so it’s pretty special,” Crosby said.

Crosby said Lemieux’s message played in the arena meant a lot to him and he was hoping to set the record while Lemieux could be in attendance.

“It was really special to have that message and obviously that friendship and what him and his family mean to me is a lot,” Crosby said. “It was really nice to have that.”

Along with setting a new franchise scoring record, Crosby has also moved into 8th all-time in NHL scoring history, trailing Detroit Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman by 31 points for 7th place, a feat that Crosby could achieve by the end of the season.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/general/7...eux-sets-new-penguins-all-time-scoring-record

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Toronto Maple Leafs 12/23/25

Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (15-11-9, 39 points, 7th place Metropolitan Division) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (15-15-5, 35 points, 8th place Atlantic Division)

When: 4:00 p.m. ET

How to Watch: National broadcast on TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Pens’ Path Ahead: Tonight is the last game before the Pens’ holiday break. They’ll look to brighten what has been a tough December with a second straight win, then enjoy four days off before heading to Chicago on Sunday for a matchup with a Blackhawks team missing injured center Connor Bedard.

Opponent Track: The Maple Leafs, a perennial regular-season juggernaut in the Auston Matthews era, have been spiraling down the standings right alongside the Pens these past two weeks. The Leafs head into the matchup having gone 1-4-1 in their last six, and they most recently conceded a 5-1 defeat in Dallas on Sunday.

Season Series: This is the last time these two teams will meet this season. The Penguins are looking to finally get the upper hand after losing both in Toronto (where the Pens blew a third-period three-goal lead and lost in regulation on Nov. 3) and in Pittsburgh (where the Pens allowed four straight goals against in the middle of the a 7-2 blowout on Nov. 29).

Hidden Stat: The Penguins haven’t won at Scotiabank Arena since November 2022. They’ve also gone 0-3-1 in their last four matchups with the Leafs.

Getting to know the Maple Leafs​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Max Domi

Matias Macelli – John Tavares – William Nylander

Nicholas Robertson – Nicolas Roy – Bobby McMann

Dakota Joshua – Scott Laughton – Steven Lorentz

DEFENSEMEN

Morgan Rielly / Philippe Myers

Jake McCabe / Troy Stecher

Simon Benoit / Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Goalies: Dennis Hildeby, Joseph Woll

Potential scratches: Henry Thrun, Calle Jarnkrok, Easton Cowan, Dakota Joshua

Injured Reserve: Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, Dakota Mermis

Turning point in Toronto​

The Leafs are coming into this game under about as much pressure as possible to turn things around. The team is coming off a three-game road trip during which they were outscored by a combined 14-4, and they’ve slipped all the way behind the Buffalo Sabres to fall to the bottom of the Atlantic.

William Nylander, who told reporters after Sunday’s loss he felt the Leafs’ “confidence is low,” was asked if he’d ever been through a stretch like this before.

“Like, with losing? I don’t know if I’ve felt like this, before,” Nylander answered. “If I’ve had a stretch like this, I’m not sure. I don’t feel like I’ve had that in the NHL, at least.”

That’s not the only postgame interview that recently raised some concerns in the Leafs locker room. Auston Matthews has said he believes his team is fine mentally, while of his teammates have raised the Leafs’ mentality as a concern.

There is definitely a disconnect inside the Maple Leafs dressing room. And I’m not just talking about the head coach. pic.twitter.com/TWLJz2EVFI

— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) December 21, 2025

These answers came two days after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Leafs are going to “be forced into existential questions” unless they turn their season around.

Elliotte Friedman: Re Leafs: "If things don’t straighten out, the organization will be forced into existential questions they didn’t think they’d have to consider — beyond the coach, beyond management, into the core of their lineup and about overall direction" – Sportsnet (12/20)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) December 20, 2025

Changes have already started. The Leafs announced Monday night the dismissal of assistant coach Marc Savard, who was in charge of managing a power play that currently ranks last in the NHL at a 13.3 percent success rate.

pic.twitter.com/RbLXOKhLw8

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 22, 2025

Season stats
via hockeydb

Auston Matthews is on pace to finish this season with 32 goals. That would be the lowest single-season total of his career, and it’s an abrupt decline from a player who led the entire NHL in even-strength scoring through the first nine seasons of his career.

The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn and James Mirtle recently floated a few ideas as to what’s going on with Matthews. They include the Leafs’ overall struggles with possession, head coach Craig Berube’s decision to give Matthews a tougher defensive workload and the absence from his line of Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner.

What's wrong with Auston Matthews?

A deep dive with @mirtle looking at all the factors contributing to Matthews' shocking decline.https://t.co/pCfTrCE9qo pic.twitter.com/C80UwHGfRI

— dom (@domluszczyszyn) December 22, 2025

Matthews isn’t the only one struggling to find the back of the net recently. The Leafs’ core of him, Nylander and John Tavares, alongside Matthew Knies and the now healthy scratch candidate Max Domi, have combined for a single goal during the Leafs’ last three games.

Maple Leafs' five highest-paid forwards on 0-3 road trip

Auston Matthews: minus-7, 0 points
William Nylander: minus-7, 0 points
Matthew Knies: minus-5, 0 points
John Tavares: minus-5, 1 goal, 0 assists
Max Domi: minus-1, 0 points, 1 scratch

(*some empty-netter minuses mixed in)

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) December 22, 2025

And now for the Pens​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Tommy Novak – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Anthony Mantha – Rickard Rakell – Justin Brazeau

Rutger McGroarty – Ben Kindel – Ville Koivunen

Connor Dewar – Kevin Hayes – Noel Acciari

DEFENSEMEN

Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson

Brett Kulak / Kris Letang

Ryan Shea / Jack St. Ivany

Goalies: Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs

Potential Scratches: Danton Heinen, Ryan Graves, Connor Clifton

IR: Blake Lizotte, Evgeni Malkin, Filip Hallander, Caleb Jones

• Sidney Crosby, the Penguins’ all-time leader in points, has points in each of his last six games against the Leafs (2-7—9 over that stretch, per the Penguins).
• The Pens have a few players who could hit games played milestones tonight, depending on if Stuart Skinner (199 career games) or Connor Clifton (399 career games) are in the lineup. Brett Kulak is meanwhile preparing to play in his 300th straight game, which currently marks the ninth-longest Ironman streak in the NHL.
• Yesterday was a travel day for the Pens. Injury and line updates could be expected this morning.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/general/7...tsburgh-penguins-toronto-maple-leafs-12-23-25

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Maple Leafs highlights: Tripped up before the break

The Penguins fell 6-3 in Toronto today. Max Domi scored the go-ahead goal and the Maple Leafs tacked on a pair of empty net goals to make the final score look lopsided.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...-leafs-highlights-tripped-up-before-the-break

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Pittsburgh Penguins biggest disappointments, surprises and more at holiday break

The Pittsburgh Penguins are going into the Holiday and nearing the halfway point of the 2025-26 NHL regular season. They are probably where everybody expected them to be in the standings, but have reached it in a very unexpected manner. So it might be a good time to just check in and look at who has been their best player (no surprise), their biggest disappointment, their biggest surprise and their best offseason addition.

Let’s get to it.

Best player: Sidney Crosby​

There are some legitimate concerns with the way the top line has played defensively, and that applies to both Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. But the offense is still there, and it is still there at a very high level. Scoring 20 goals and averaging more than a point-per-game through 36 games at the age of 38 is wild stuff.

It is the sort of thing that just does not happen in the NHL. Crosby is on pace for 43 goals this season which would be the third-highest total of his career. He is, again, 38 years old. Players are not supposed to still be this productive at this age. He is obviously not most players. It has been a milestone year for him in becoming the Penguins’ all-time leading scorer, and he is still playing like one of the top offensive players in the NHL.

Biggest Surprise: Ben Kindel​

When the Penguins selected Kindel with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft it was greeted with a polarizing reception. Some saw the production and talent and knew there was a lot of upside. Others looked at some of the other familiar names that had been talked about pre-draft, and were still available, and saw it as a missed opportunity. Almost nobody saw him making the NHL team right out of training camp. Nobody could have imagined he would not only make the team, but also make it through the nine-game trial period and be here to stay. Not only is he here to stay, he has also been a major contributor and already displaying an advanced two-way game for an 18-year-old. He might not be a franchise-changing player, but he certainly has the ability to be a top-line player and perhaps even an All-Star level player. He has been a major bright spot.

With eight goals in 33 games he is on a 20-goal pace over 82 games while consistently posting some of the best underlying and possession numbers on the team. His line has also consistently been one of the Penguins’ most effective in most games. That is all extremely impressive play for an 18-year-old. He is not going to win the Calder Trophy, but he has a significant future in the NHL and with the Penguins.

Biggest Disappointment: Kris Letang​

There was always going to come a point in time where the big-three (Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Letang) would begin to slow down. To varying degrees, all of them have.

At least compared to what they were in their peak. But none of them have declined faster and more aggressively than Letang. He has been a difficult watch at times this season and is playing some of the worst hockey of his career. There are not many positives on the Penguins defense this season, but that was to be expected with most of the players that were assembled on that unit. There was still some hope that Letang might be able to provide something of value. Those moments have been few and far between.

Player the Penguins need more from: Ville Koivunen​

I had high expectations for Ville Koivunen coming into this season, and I think a lot of other people did as well. He has been outstanding in the American Hockey League. He had a strong debut late in the 2024-25 season with the Penguins.

He opened this season on a dominant run in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It just has not all translated into results this season at the NHL level. I would not say he has been bad, because that would be a little unfair. He doesn’t make a lot of obvious mistakes, and his underlying numbers, whether he is a part of The Kid Line or another line, have consistently been good. He is just not producing anything offensively, and that is what the Penguins want and need from him. He finds himself in good positions a lot, he has created chances, but the puck has not consistently gone in the net for him, or as a result of his plays. Only three points in 24 games is just a little underwhelming. Not every young player develops at the same pace.

There are going to be growing pains that come for a lot of them. If you want to see the Penguins rebuild and get younger and play different players you have to accept the reality that struggles are going to be a part of that. I am certainly not giving up on Koivunen, and the Penguins should not either, but they probably do need to see more production from him in the second half of the season.

Worst offseason addition: Connor Clifton and Matt Dumba​

They get to share this. Expectations for both players were low coming into the season, and they were mostly here as part of salary dump trades or to get future assets. Nobody was counting on them being major contributors. Even so, the Penguins’ defense has become a major liability with this team and played a significant role in the poor play over the past 10 games.

Clifton and Dumba have not been regulars, and Dumba is now in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but they have not been good when called on. I understand the purpose of their additions was not necessarily for their play. There is more going on there with salaries, contracts and future draft picks, which changes the way the trades themselves are analyzed from a big picture perspective. But from an on-ice perspective and how they have impacted this team, this season, they have not been useful additions.

Best offseason addition: Anthony Mantha ​

Mantha was this year’s Anthony Beauvillier, a low-budget, reclamation project free agent signing that could be inserted into the top-six, put in positions to score, and then be flipped at the trade deadline, probably for another future second-round pick.

So far, it has gone to plan.

With 11 goals and 23 total points he is on a 25-goal, 52-point pace and carries a relatively cheap salary cap number that should make him an attractive option for a team in need of some size and depth scoring for the playoffs.

Depending on the shift he can either look like an All-Star or one of the worst players you have ever seen. Overall he has accomplished what the Penguins had hoped.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/...ointments-surprises-and-more-at-holiday-break

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Pens Points: A not-so-merry Christmas Eve Eve

Here is a festively fun, Christmas Eve edition of Pens Points…​

Max Domi proved to be an indestructible force for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday afternoon, as he scored the game-winner to snap a 23-game goalless streak while helping end the Maple Leafs’ three-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. [Highlights]

“He’s still No. 1 in my book. I don’t think you can put a stat line or a number on what he means to this team and to hockey,” Sidney Crosby said of Mario Lemieux after passing his friend and mentor to become the Penguins’ all-time points leader. And in passing Lemieux for the franchise scoring title, Crosby, once again, chose to do so with class, paying tribute to arguably the greatest Penguin and NHL player of all time. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL…​

Before the game against the Penguins, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said on Tuesday that he fully supports head coach Craig Berube despite the team’s recent losing streak and the firing of assistant coach Mark Savard on Monday. [TSN]

I may be biased, but Marc-Andre Fleury’s preseason sendoff was the perfect way to wrap up the career of the future Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender. However, teams are “kicking the tires” on Fleury, who is open to returning for the right opportunity, according to multiple reports. [Sportsnet]

Members of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association are on the verge of staging a strike in the ECHL if the union and the league cannot agree to a new collective bargaining agreement. [Associated Press via Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/70744/pens-points-penguins-maple-leafs-crosby-nhl-fleury-echl-strike

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

2026 World Juniors: Horcoff, Brunicke look to shine

The Pittsburgh Penguins will have two players participating in this year’s World Junior Championships, the U-20 tournament that takes place starting tomorrow, Friday December 26th and lasting through Monday January 5th over in Minnesota. What the Pens lack in quantity will be made up for in quantity with Canada’s Harrison Brunicke and the US’s Will Horcoff both expected to fill key roles for the two powerhouse teams.

Horcoff finished the tune-up games on the first line for the Americans, playing left wing for high draft pick James Hagens. Center depth has been a question mark and potential question mark for the US, it shows where Horcoff is that he’s being used for the national team on the wing, just as where he normally plays for the University of Michigan these days.

Steven Ellis from the Daily Faceoff listed Horcoff among his handful of top performers in that tune-up game against Finland:

#24 Will Horcoff, LW (Pittsburgh Penguins): After scoring twice against Germany, Horcoff looked great again today with a good first-period goal. He does an excellent job of rushing to the net and using his big frame to bully opponents. He also has quick hands, something that very few players his size manage to replicate. Horcoff likely has played his way onto the top line with James Hagens and Brodie Ziemer for good.

The good news there is that description is perfectly in-line with what Horcoff has been doing all fall so far at Michigan, where he’s emerged as a goal-scoring machine and one of the top prospects in NCAA hockey this season. Horcoff could be on the verge of an even bigger coming out party on the international stage if he can prove himself against the best players in his 18-19 year old age bracket.

The US plays Germany on Friday at 6:00pm eastern (NHL Network) as they look to repeat on last year’s championship and add a fourth ‘chip within the last six years. The US follows that up with round robin games against Switzerland (Dec 27th), Slovakia (Dec 29th) and Sweden (Dec 31st) before the single-elimination quarterfinals start on January 2nd.

Harrison Brunicke and the Canadians are over in the other group, they will play the Czechs on the 26th to open things up, followed by Latvia on the 27th, Denmark on the 29th and Finland on New Year’s Eve.

Ellis did a nice writeup on the experienced Brunicke heading into this tournament as well:

In total, Brunicke has played 26 pro games between the NHL and AHL over two years. For a player his age, that’s a lot of quality competition and increased speed he has had to deal with.

“Coaches love that at this level,” one scout said. “They know they can count on the guys who’ve played against the best of the best. They’re coachable.”

Brunicke has played a lot of meaningful hockey early in his career. He played in the Memorial Cup in 2023 prior to his draft year and then helped Canada win gold at the U-18 World Championship the following spring. Brunicke even skated in a pair of games with the senior national team ahead of the 2025 World Championship – showing a high level of trust from the Hockey Canada brass. That, plus his NHL experience, has allowed Brunicke to handle every challenge thrown his way so far.

“When you’re in more high-pressure situations, you get more comfortable with it,” Brunicke said. “I’m hoping to bring that here.”

Many believe Brunicke will be loaned back to Kamloops for the team’s WHL playoff push after the tournament. Others think the 6-foot-3 defender would benefit more from playing against men in the NHL. Regardless, he needs playing time – and he’s set to get a lot of it for Canada.

“I’m still trying to build that pro style of game, where it’s strictly hard defense, where you’re moving the puck and moving your feet, less risks,” Brunicke said. “That’s what I’m trying to bring here.”

Parekh is projected to be Canada’s No. 1 right-handed defender. That’ll leave Brunicke on the second pair, where he’ll still be able to eat heavy minutes as he did in Kamloops. Canada has a strong contender this year, and Brunicke is expected to be a leader, especially with his NHL experience.

Brunicke has played just five games over the past month, all coming in the AHL. The native of Johannesburg, South Africa had four points in that span, showing a high level of puck proficiency. On the surface, going from playing against men and adjusting to junior hockey sounds easy. But there’s a real adjustment, especially from a tempo perspective.

Brunicke is ready for the challenge.

“Whatever position I’m put in, whatever role, I’m ready to execute it,” Brunicke said. “I’m a two-way defenseman, playing hard defensively and getting to show my offense as well. I want to be a reliable defenseman who can eat minutes.”

After a fall mostly spent watching or practicing, Brunicke should certainly get all the chances he can handle in this venue where he is one of the most experienced players. Team Canada looks stacked with talent, they’ll need a veteran like Brunicke to help guide them along.

The fun for the Pens will be what looks like the annual, inevitable collision between the US and the Canadians, which will just so happen to feature Pittsburgh having one of the top American forwards and Canadian defenders. That won’t happen until early in the new year with the group format, but one that would be very closely monitored in Western PA.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/pittsburg...-world-juniors-horcoff-brunicke-look-to-shine

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Penguins @ Maple Leafs

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/70277/gamethread-penguins-maple-leafs

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Is it about to get tougher for the Penguins?

Christmas is over, it doesn’t look like Santa was able to bring the Penguins a favorable schedule for the rest of the season. Per Dom Luszczyszyn’s model, Pittsburgh has the fourth most difficult schedule remaining schedule in the league this season.

Strength of schedule pic.twitter.com/fJdoSTiGeE

— dom (@domluszczyszyn) December 24, 2025

The Pens will be hoping this break serves as a strong reset for what turned out to be a rotten December. Pittsburgh has only won one out of their last 10 games (1-5-4) in defeats ranging from the aggravating in blowing multi-goal third period leads to the straight depressing of getting dominated and failing to compete.

One piece of good news for the Pens is that some help could be on the way. Evgeni Malkin has been out since December 4th, not so coincidentally when Pittsburgh started their downward trend. Malkin was starting to get his legs back under his prior to the Christmas break on the ice in individual workouts, he should be that much closer to returning.

Given the formidable expected strength of schedule ahead, Malkin’s return looks like it will be necessary for the Penguins as they make their way into the second third of the season and see where they come out on the other side as March’s trade deadline approaches.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/general/70780/is-it-about-to-get-tougher-for-the-penguins

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Putting Ben Kindel’s rookie season in its proper context

The 2025-26 Pittsburgh Penguins might not be particularly good as a team. Especially when it comes to their defense and current level of goaltending. But they do have some good players, and they have some really intriguing young players that could be really good players in the coming seasons. The best of that group is 18-year-old center, and 2025 first-round pick, Ben Kindel.

If you did not watch any Penguins games and simply looked at his numbers you probably would not be overly impressed.

Eight goals, 14 total points and 74 shots on goal in 33 games probably seems fine for an 18-year-old rookie, but not anything that would really wow you. Mostly because we only tend to get truly wowed by the players that instantly step into the NHL and dominate (which are very few and very far between), or the No. 1 overall picks that naturally get the most eye balls on them.

The thing is, Kindel’s production is outstanding for an 18-year-old and is giving him a pretty good first impression in the NHL. Especially since it is not just about his actual offensive production.

First, let’s just look at some basic numbers comparing him to other 18-year-olds.

Since the start of the 2007-08 season, Kindel is one of just nine 18-year-olds that have reached eight goals and 70 shots on goal through the first 33 games of their career. The other players on that list are Patrik Laine, Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, Andrew Svechnikov, Matthew Schaefer, David Pastrnak, Matt Duchene and Jeff Skinner.

Pretty good list to be a part of.

There have been more than 61 18-year-olds that have played at least nine games in the NHL since the start of the 2007-08 season. Many of them did not get beyond the nine-game cup of coffee to start the season, and of the ones that did, most of them did not produce big numbers, or even what Kindel has done so far.

So to make it this far into the season and still be productive, that is an encouraging sign for what Kindel is capable of.

But let’s take it one step further.

Let’s just look at ANY teenager performance. Among all players in their age 18 or 19 season, regardless of rookie status (so this includes second-year players as well), Kindel is one of just 33 players under the age of 20 to have at least eight goals and 70 shots on goal through the first 33 games of their season. And that is out of 176 players that played at least 33 games in their age 18 or 19 season over that time period.

Again: Good company to be a part of, especially since the overwhelming majority of players his production lines up with went on to be legitimate top-six or first-line players.

Goal-scoring and generating shots on goal, however, are just part of the story with Kindel.

He is also already one of the Penguins’ best play-drivers from a possession standpoint. He has a 55.1 percent shot attempt share. That is one of the best marks on the Penguins. He also has a 57.3 percent expected goals share. That is also one of the best marks on the Penguins. Every line he has been a part of players better territorially with him on it. When he is on the ice, good things are generally happening for the Penguins. That is crazy good and advanced play for an 18-year-old center.

So with that in mind, let us expand our comparison search another level.

With eight goals in 33 games Kindel is on a 20-goal pace over 82 games. He is averaging around .250 goals per game. He also has that 55 percent shot attempt share.

Since the start of the 2007-08 season only six teenagers (18 or 19) scored at a 20-goal pace (.250 goals per game) and had a shot attempt share of better than even 52 percent over 50 games. That list includes only Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Dylan Larkin, Gabriel Landeskog, Patrick Kane and Seth Jarvis. If Kindel can maintain his current pace in both areas, that would again put him into some pretty good recent company.

The Penguins obviously had high hopes for Kindel when they picked him. Otherwise they would not have been ecstatic to take him with the No. 11 overall pick. I am not sure they counted on him being this good all over the ice so quickly. He might not be their franchise-changing player in the future, but he still has a chance to be a top player (and important player) on the next contending Penguins team. The start of his career certainly paints that picture. Especially if he can keep building on this rookie season performance.

[Data in this post via Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference StatHead database]

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/70785/putting-ben-kindels-rookie-season-in-its-proper-context

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Christmas Standings: How the Penguins sit after a December fall

The Penguins got to Thanksgiving holiday and the end of November with the fourth best points percentage and similar spot in the division. December didn’t go as smoothly, they leave in seventh place in points, and barely sixth in points%, thanks to a 1-5-4 slump that saw losing every which way you can go.

We’ll bring in the conference at this point, sorting by points% in this instance. The overall point ranking can be seen at left.

(Not pictured: 15th place Toronto and 16th place Columbus)

The Penguins are towards the bottom, which is a shame because they’re not actually doing that badly in the big scheme of things. Their 39 points in 36 games puts the on track for an 89-point pace on the season, and we’re nearly halfway in! For reference, Pittsburgh tallied 80 points last season, and 89 points would have put them two points away from making the playoffs. Not too many folks out there aside from the terminally optimistic would have envisioned the Pens targeting for a number that high this deep into the year, which deserves a mention.

Unfortunately for them, that kind of pace is not cutting it and really even nothing special this year. Every team in the NHL, except five Western Conference teams, have at least a .500% points% to this point of the year. Even then, no one is under .444% and everyone else is .450%+. (The red dot below in Seattle’s position, so it can be mostly ignored).

The above graph shows a startling grouping of the majority of the league clogging up the middle of the graph of points%. There have been no bottom-dwellers dragging far behind the rest of the pack to this point, and (save Colorado and Dallas) that there are very few breakaway .700+ points% teams racing out either. It’s just a big pack of average to above-average clubs at this point, which is a fairly astounding phenomena w.

One reason for this has been overtime games. And, of course, Unforgiven and The Wire taught us that deserve got nothin’ to do with it, but here’s an interesting outlook of where teams would be if every game played out where a team won if they out-chanced the opponent on a given night.

Based off MoneyPuck's "Derserve-to-Win O'Meter" standings, the Utah Mammoth would be 8th in the league with a 22-11-6 record and 50pts. As usual, analytics love the Mammoth but they can't consistently match it in reality. Also, this is just for fun #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/ZhFWSkiN86

— 99.6 The Howl (@996TheHowl) December 26, 2025

In a nutshell, this is a large part of the Penguins’ problem in the conference. The Flyers (9), Bruins (11) and especially Islanders (19) have been collecting a lot more points than perhaps they ‘should’ have been expected to. Be it luck, good fortune, incredible timing and game sequences of goals (and saves), they’ve found ways to get results despite the process.

Whether or not these teams can keep performing like this for a full 82 games is anyone’s guess, and a true question that the process vs. results debate has grappled with since advanced stats have been tracked. Some models are not yet believers. (This, for instance, is a good chunk of the reason The Athletic currently projects NYI with a 36% chance at the playoffs, and Philadelphia at 32%, despite those teams statistically being on pace for 97 and 102 points based on simple points per game, respectively. That model is baking in some right-sizing with their results in the second half of the season, though it will swing into believing the longer that either can keep it going).

If you’re inside the Penguins’ room and the hopes still remain to keep pushing forward, the next stretch of games from Christmas to the start of the Olympics (Feb 6 for them) is a six-week stretch where two things will count. One they can control, and one they can’t. For starters, and to state the obvious, Pittsburgh needs more months like October (8-2-2) and less like November (4-5-3) and no more December’s (3-5-4, pending the last two games coming up).

The less controllable aspect that Pittsburgh could really use is fewer overtime games on the out of town scoreboard. That would be one way to help, a team like Philadelphia for instance is 7-7 in games that go beyond 60 minutes. Turning some of those 60 minute ties into 60 minute losses would go a long way towards bringing them back to the pack with a shocking 14 out of their 36 games on the year (almost 40%) going beyond regulation. Similarly, the Islanders are 6-4 in post-regulation games and owe the two-pronged attack of A) getting to OT and then B) getting two points fairly frequently. (Of course, Pittsburgh with a 2-9 OT/SO record could also help their own cause by finding a way to get the victory point more often in their own right, though that of course is a different topic for a different day).

The natural alternative to all of this is that the Penguins might not be a team that keeps up with the pack much longer, as the November and December results are pointing towards perhaps a more true level of team talent and ability. It looked like Buffalo might have been the first team in the East to truly drop way off the pace, until they’ve found a way to reel off seven-straight wins. Needless to say, about now would be a very fortuitous time to string together a long winning streak, just as it would be at just about any time of the season.

If that’s not in the cards, the picture might well be developing by the Olympic break in early February. The Pens will have played 58 games by that point, with only about two weeks to go from resumption of play in late February to the NHL trade deadline this season on March 6th.

There’s been very little separation — especially in the Eastern Conference — however this next six-week sprint to the Olympics will truly be setting the stage for which teams are contenders and the other ones who will have to take an honest look of where they’re at an consider downshifting for the season in terms of positioning themselves at sellers.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/...gs-how-the-penguins-sit-after-a-december-fall

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Pens Points: Merry Christmas to All…

There won’t be much to talk about from the Pittsburgh Penguins until later this weekend when their season resumes following the NHL Christmas break. The entire league is on hiatus until Saturday, but the Penguins will enjoy an extra day off before returning to action on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Windy City.

Based on what we have seen from the Penguins leading into the break, this time off might be coming at the perfect moment, giving the players a chance to get away from the rink for a few days to rest and recuperate with their families and put hockey on the back burner for a bit and hopefully reset.

Pens Points…​

There’s been both good and bad from the Penguins so far this season and their current standing reflects that. The same case goes for the roster itself, which has a handful of surprises along with some guys who need to step up. [Pensburgh]

Penguins 2025 first round selection Will Horcoff will represent the United States at the upcoming World Junior Championships slated to begin on Friday in Minnesota. [Penguins]

NHL News and Notes…​

If you have some free time after Christmas and need your hockey fix before the NHL resumes, the 2026 World Junior Championships begin on Friday and run through the end of the month and into the new year. [NHL]

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/70772/pens-points-merry-christmas-to-all

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Pens Points: Back to Canada

After getting back in the win column on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to head into the Christmas break on a win streak when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs this afternoon. This will be the third and final meeting between the two sides this season with both teams currently trying to save their suddenly floundering seasons as the new year approaches.

Please note that today’s game will begin at an unusual start time with puck drop scheduled for 4:00 PM. TNT will have the broadcast.

Pens Points…​

For a short time during Sidney Crosby’s rookie season, the Penguins future all-time points leader shared a locker room with the man he just passed. While their time together as players was short, Crosby and Mario Lemieux will forever be connected as Penguins legends. [Penguins]

With the Christmas holiday upon us, it will be a relatively quiet week for the Penguins as they take some time away from the ice. The NHL Christmas break begins after the Penguins take on the Leafs later today and they will not return to action until Sunday in Chicago. [Pensburgh]

In terms of stats and trophies, Crosby has either equaled or surpassed his predecessor Mario in about everyway on the ice. Off the ice, the comparisons only continue with their affect on the community and city leaving a lasting impact that will endure forever. [Trib Live]

In partnership with US Steel, The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is creating a new program called Free Little Library, a series of library boxes throughout the city where residents can access books free of charge. To get the program started, several members of the Penguins have donated their favorite reads to libraries. [Penguins]

NHL News and Notes…​

A slew of injuries hit the NHL last week and will force some stars out of their respective lineups for the time being. Tristan Jarry and will be out week-to-week for the Oilers while Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin will miss extended time for the Hurricanes with upper body injuries. [NHL]

For a second consecutive week, Connor McDavid is crowned the NHL’s First Star of the Week. McDavid has been the hottest player in the league for a few weeks now and he posted another 10 point week to take home the honors once again. [NHL]

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/70681/pens-points-back-to-canada

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Blackhawks Recap: Big Braz’s big night helps Pens to win

Pregame​

The Penguins come out of the break with some happy news to get Blake Lizotte back from the IR. Arturs Silovs is in net.

Ts

First period​

Quick start for the Pens to get on the board just 1:38 into the game. Anthony Mantha spins around and his off-speed five-hole shot just slips through the goalie for no reason. Not a great goal for Spencer Knight to allow, it wouldn’t be the last one like that for him on the night.

MO GETS US GOING pic.twitter.com/J7YmQsF7Mf

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Bryan Rust gets in on the action a little later on. Really nice backhand pass from Sidney Crosby (that sentence has been uttered a time or two before) and Rust’s shot is…well, it’s a goal to the far side. Is Knight still on Christmas break?

MILKSHAKE MODE: ACTIVATED

Thanks, Rusty! pic.twitter.com/n1YqbuOPQM

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Pittsburgh takes their dreaded 3-0 lead 1:01 later. Can’t blame Knight on this goal starting with a pass from Mantha behind the net that goes right through Matt Grzelcyk and is an easy one for Justin Brazeau to slam home from close range. Aaahh, a classic Grzelcyk disaster class!

THE BOYS ARE BUZZIN' pic.twitter.com/wvrO8p6zwJ

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Rust takes the game’s first penalty, the Penguins kill it off. Rust steps out of the box and ends Knight’s night early with another very weak shot to allow (although a nice, patient hold and pass from Ryan Shea on the setup). Pittsburgh’s fourth on the night on just seven shots. 4-0 game, just like that.

IN RUST WE TRUST x2 pic.twitter.com/mNSuNXJ9dE

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Kris Letang heads to the penalty box, Pittsburgh survives. Chicago isn’t invisible though, they try to break through but nothing is going their way in the first 20.

Late in the first, Noel Acciari and Connor Murphy get tied up in front of the net, exchange a few words and drop the gloves. A couple little shots but a quick affair that ends with Acciari wrestling the larger Murphy down to the ice.

Shots in the first are 10-7 Pens, a big outburst of four goals in the first 12:03 of the game leads to a lopsided 4-0 score.

Second period​

It takes a while but Chicago gets on the board with 9:10 left. Nick Foligno is all alone in front of the net, he isn’t even facing the goal when he hacks in a rebound backwards and it gets by Silovs. 4-1 game.

welcome back, Captain pic.twitter.com/Pf6XcmpIwa

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 29, 2025

After a terrible and completely dreadful early period power play, the Pens get another for a too many men call on Chicago and Pittsburgh opts to start out with their second group. It scores in eight seconds, Ben Kindel gives the puck down low to Brazeau and he power moves to the front of the net with his backhand shot just barely sliding into the back of the net. 5-1 game.

A PPG for PGH and Brazeau's second of the game pic.twitter.com/yRlmSUBaCS

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Less than a minute later, Brazeau completes his hat trick with a slight deflection of a Connor Dewar shot. Go crazy people! 6-1.

JUSTIN BRAZEAU, FOLKS pic.twitter.com/6fvJBSaG86

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

The game is going crazy, Chicago answers 13 seconds later, a bouncing puck jumps in off Silovs and in. 6-2.

we know #wkfc is going to love this pic.twitter.com/OpcJzX3FMR

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 29, 2025

Chicago nearly scores when Tyler Bertuzzi goal hangs for a breakaway, Silovs stops him. Down at the other end, Jack St. Ivany’s shot hits the end wall and pops out to Acciari in front. Acciari punches the puck in as Arvid Soderblom does his Spencer Knight impression and just kinda watches it happen. 7-2 game.

Gordie Howe watch for Cookie pic.twitter.com/TRJINeH7HA

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 29, 2025

Wild one in Chi-town, the Pens wind up extending their lead in the second period by one and take a commanding five-goal lead after 40 minutes.

Third period​

Knight back in the Chicago net for garbage time, why not!

Jack St. Ivany gets called for tripping, the Pens’ PK makes easy work of it.

Not much going on until Bertuzzi finally gets his goal with 0:00.8 left. Not as much consternation this time from the last time the Pens allowed a last second third period goal given the cushion.

Some thoughts​

• The fickle fate of hockey in terms of sequencing: Chicago’s Ryan Greene hit a post early in the first period. If that goes in, the whole game might just have unfolded differently. Alas, it did not. The Blackhawks hit another post later in the period and couldn’t score courtesy of a Silovs save on a 3-on-1 rush.
• That little unknowable luck factor was smiling on the Pens all night long in ways that wouldn’t stand out just from reading the final score and surmising it was an easy or comfortable night. (Of course, if you know the Pens this season, you know that no lead is easy or comfortable). On one play in the second period the ref’s skate accidentally stopped a puck from getting to Andre Burakovsky in what would have been a rush chance for Chicago. Minutes later, a puck rolled off the stick of a Blackhawk and straight to Crosby for a breakaway. Sometimes it goes your way, some nights it doesn’t. The Pens certainly had a lot of those uncontrollable moments break in their direction in this game.
• That said, hey, a 5-goal third period lead seems to be the magic amount of cushion to coast a game home for the Pens.
• Looking just at the stat sheet a 21 save on 24 shot performance (.875%) doesn’t read that well for Silovs, but dear reader please believe he was pretty key for the win tonight. Moneypuck had Chicago with 3.5 expected goals, the one at the very end crushed Silovs but was one that he could more than afford to give up after the first 59:59 of steady play. There might not be that much reason for confidence or faith in him with the way the better part of the last two months have gone for him, don’t look now but it’s two wins in a row for Silovs.
• It was mentioned on the SN Pittsburgh broadcast that Knight, as Chicago’s starting goalie, has been in net for every first-half of the back-to-back’s this season. The Blackhawks played last night against mighty Dallas and opted based on strength of schedule to save their starter for the more winnable game on night two against the Pens tonight. For one reason or another, it backfired to where coach Jeff Blashill only played himself with that decision. Good in theory, didn’t work in execution, Knight gave up four goals on seven shots (and a total of 0.57 expected goals, per Moneypuck). It’s been a great season for Knight so far, tonight was one of those strange ones for him.
• The broadcast made a big deal about Crosby passing Gordie Howe for ninth place in most road points (777). At first that didn’t read right with Crosby sitting at 1,726 points now – meaning he has 172 more home points than road points. Would have guessed that was a closer split, are they counting games in Philly as home games?
• On a night Gordie Howe made the broadcast, shame that Acciari just missed an assist to honor Howe with his so-called hat trick (even though I think the legend said that Gordie Howe only actually ever had one career ‘Gordie Howe hat trick’ game). Wrap this into the Bob Grove stat of the night that the Pens will still be waiting for their first goal+assist+fight game since Evgeni Malkin did it in March 2017.
• Tonight was about seeing old combos coming through for the Pens. Crosby+Rust, Mantha+Brazeau, reunited Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari ‘best fourth line the team has had all season’. Also looked like an October version of Silovs to keep the puck out of the net. A lot of those elements have been strong when the team has had good stretches, after a down four weeks (or, well really maybe eight weeks..) it’s nice to see a lot of those familiar themes stepping back into the spotlight.
• Nice to be on the receiving end of a good ol’ dash 3 Matt Grzelcyk on the ice for a bunch of goals againstnight. Allan Walsh and agents skip the rest of this note: Grzelcyk’s continued NHL employment is a sign the league’s 32-franchise configuration is over-shadowing the talent pool as it is.
• Other end of that spectrum was Ryan Shea at a +5 through two periods in just 12:06 and a career-high three assist game. St. Ivany had a two-assist night — he only had two total assists in the first 37 games of his career entering tonight, a career assist and point total that St. Ivany nicely doubled up in an evening’s work.
• That Justin Brazeau, what can ya say!? Used a similar stat before in these recaps so excuse me to bring it up again: the Pens improve to 4-0-3 when Brazeau scores a goal. A couple of those OT losses (like the Utah and Anaheim blown leads) should not have been losses at all. Bottom line; it is (or at least it truly should be) a very, very good sign when Brazeau scores a goal. When he scores three goals? Forget about it. Well, that’s never happened before tonight, what a big time game.

First game back was a successful one to feel proud about. The Pens will need to carry those good feelings back for the next game on Tuesday night against a Carolina team that typically feeds Pittsburgh their lunch.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...s-recap-big-brazs-big-night-helps-pens-to-win

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins add Yegor Chinakhov from Columbus for Danton Heinen, two picks

The Penguins have made a trade to add forward Yegor Chinakhov from Columbus for Danton Heinen and two future draft picks.

Yegor Chinakhov is being dealt from Columbus to Pittsburgh for draft picks

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 29, 2025

Along with Heinen, the Penguins sent a 2026 second-round pick that originally belonged to the Blues and a 2027 third-round pick that originally belonged to the Capitals.

The Penguins have built up a sizeable stock of future picks through the myriad of wheelings and dealings under GM Kyle Dubas.

Chinakhov, 24, was a first round pick (21st overall) by the Blue Jackets in 2020. He had found trouble fitting in a role with Columbus and had asked for a trade. His hockeydb card:

Other than that one season in 2023-24, it was a lot of spinning wheels with Columbus, including this season where Chinakhov averaged just over 10 minutes per game.

Trade call pending between #CBJ and #LetsGoPens regarding Yegor Chinakhov. Waiting on the specifics of the picks.

Chinakhov has enormous potential, but was a lost soul here, it seemed. Perhaps a change of scenery will set him free. If so, #CBJ could lament trading in the Metro.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 29, 2025

Chinakhov has been fairly well-regarded in the advanced stat community, especially when it comes to some finishing ability. His downside, and cause of issues finding a solid spot in the lineup up to this point, has been one of consistently putting the raw tools to use and translating that into a steady, even effort. He carries a $2.1 million cap hit and is scheduled to be a restricted free agent after this season if he receives a qualifying offer.

Yegor Chinakhov, acquired by PIT, is a scoring winger. Has flashed skills including a terrific shot, slick hands, quick straight-line speed, and some reasonably well-rounded play, but consistently delivering has been a challenge. Needs to generate more quality looks. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/Wkb5GWHbiO

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) December 29, 2025

The Penguins have been seeking answers among depth forwards, it looks like they’re going to take a chance and see what the left-handed shooting winger might have to offer.

With the two draft picks dealt in the trade, Pittsburgh still holds 34 selections over the next three NHL Entry Drafts.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/70928/penguins-add-yegor-chinakhov-from-columbus-for-draft-picks

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Yegor Chinakhov an expensive but worthy gamble for Penguins

When you are a rebuilding team that has stockpiled more draft picks than you would ever have a reasonable need for, you have the flexibility to take some chances on talented players that have not worked out in their previous stop. If you are a contending team short on assets, you are not trading two draft picks for Yegor Chinakhov as the Pittsburgh Penguins did on Monday.

You are going to use those draft picks for somebody that is a more well-known commodity, or somebody that you know is going to contribute without much risk.

You are not really in a position to take a flier on somebody and hope to catch lightning in a bottle.

The Penguins kind of are, and they have not been shy about taking those swings over the past couple of years.

Especially since Kyle Dubas arrived.

I am also not overly concerned about the draft picks the Penguins gave up. Even though that 2026 St. Louis Blues pick has a chance to be a relatively high second-round pick, the Penguins still have their own second-round pick and the Winnipeg Jets second-round pick (which is also looking mighty nice right now, and perhaps the most valuable of the three picks) and will almost certainly be able to get a comparable pick back when they inevitably flip Anthony Mantha and his 20-25 goals at the deadline. If Anthony Beauvillier landed you a second-round pick a year ago, I don’t see why Mantha won’t do the same this year.

Maybe it will not be as valuable as the Blues pick, but the difference between pick No. 38 and, say, pick No. 50 in most draft classes is pretty insignificant from a big picture perspective.

It’s probably worth taking a chance on a talented player with a good shot to see if a fresh start and a change of scenery can help them put it all together. Especially when you are still loaded with draft picks and have the means of acquiring more at any point between now and March.

The question is will this chance and roll of the dice pay off.

The Penguins have made a lot of these moves in recent years with mixed results.

Chinakhov joins a list of recent reclamation projects that already includes Philip Tomasino, Jesse Puljujarvi, Emil Bemstrom, Connor Dewar, Arturs Silovs and Vladislav Kolyachonok. I will also include Tommy Novak in that group, even though he was a better and more established player when he was acquired in the Michael Bunting trade.

Some of them have turned out better than others in terms of success.

Novak is talented, but at times frustrating. Also at times productive.

Dewar is a good fourth-liner.

Silovs is …. I am not sure what he is at this point.

Tomasino, Puljujarvi, Bemstrom and Kolyachonok never amounted to anything in Pittsburgh.

That brings us to Chinakhov.

While most of the players mentioned here were acquired for relatively little (Novak excluded), the Penguins paid a pretty steep price for Chinakhov. But he is also arguably the most talented of the bunch with the highest potential upside, and he also might be the best pure finisher out of that group.

The table below looks at all of the aforementioned forwards and their production in terms of 5-on-5 play per 60 minutes in the three full seasons before the Penguins acquired them.

Chinakhov has clearly demonstrated that he has the best finishing ability and goal-scoring ability out of everybody in that group. It is actually pretty good relative to the rest of the league.

Player	Goals/60	Points/60	Shots/60	iXG/60
Yegor Chinakhov	1.00	1.95	7.53	0.62
Tommy Novak	0.76	2.12	5.87	0.63
Connor Dewar	0.48	1.14	6.33	0.58
Philip Tomasino	0.60	1.70	7.01	0.76
Emil Bemstrom	0.55	1.49	7.37	0.71
Jesse Puljujarvi	0.59	1.40	8.21	0.90

The book on Chinakhov at this point is that he has great offensive talents, including his shot, and that kind of tracks here. He does not generate a ton of chances, but he has at least shown some ability to finish. That is way more than can be said about some of the previous projects the Penguins have taken on.

His 1.00 goals per 60 minutes between 2022-23 and 2024-25 ranked 57th out of 575 forwards that played at least 250 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey. It is a small sample size, but he still did that over 1,375 minutes and at least showed SOMETHING. An injury slowed things down for him, he obviously did not see eye-to-eye or match well with head coach Dean Evason and he and the organization obviously needed a split. Especially after he asked for a trade.

My immediate reaction to seeing this transaction was, “well, he is this year’s Philip Tomasino.” But that’s probably doing a disservice to Chinakhov and boosting up Tomasino a little too much.

Overall your expectations should still be low. The chances of the Penguins — or any team — catching lightning in a bottle with a trade like this are low. If you get a 20-goal season out of him at some point consider it a major win. But I still think it is a worthy gamble for a team in need of some finishers. Is the price high? Maybe. But again, you have potentially more valuable picks in the same round and the means to acquire more if needed. He has also shown more goal-scoring ability than some of these previous projects have. Roll the dice and see what happens.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/...guins-latest-reclamation-project-will-it-work

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Hurricanes @ Penguins

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/70906/gamethread-hurricanes-penguins