RSS Penguins Team Notes

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Devils Recap: Pens pull away in third period to beat New Jersey

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 26: Parker Wotherspoon #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 26, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame​

The first Crosby-less lineup of the season for the Penguins serves as the first Samuel Girard appearance in the lineup. Arturs Silovs gets the nod in net.

Tonight's lineup vs. the Devils pic.twitter.com/Xaa4UsWsH7

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 26, 2026

The visiting New Jersey Devils bring this lineup to the proceedings.

Time to ruffle some Penguin feathers. pic.twitter.com/nwS1G8nvRz

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 26, 2026

First period​

Both teams trade some chances early, the Penguins are the better team early with the Evgeni Malkin line generating some chances before New Jersey starts to get the better of the play, forcing Silovs to make a couple of nice blocker stops.

Pittsburgh gets the first power play and nice zone time, it takes a while for them to settle in. Malkin and Kris Letang move the puck, Letang fires. Tommy Novak gets a piece to redirect things on Jacob Markstrom. 1-0.

A PPG FOR PGH pic.twitter.com/BN7DWZsuT3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 27, 2026

One goal often begats another, NJ gets a chance very late but it doesn’t go.

Shots go 9-6 PIT in the first, the power play goal being the difference.

Second period​

The Devils adjust and respond in the second with a better effort and more control of the puck. They get their first power play when Malkin high sticks a guy.

The power play doesn’t score but it helps build towards a goal soon after. Paul Cotter gets a piece of a Dougie Hamilton point shot. The Penguins decide to challenge, for some unknown reason because there was hardly anything there.

A DJ Pauly C banger that stands the test of time. pic.twitter.com/3XCRAL7yPk

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 27, 2026

Goal stands, NJ to the power play. The Pens kill it off but are right back to the penalty box soon after, Avery Hayes being the guilty party this time with a slash.

The penalty parade continues, Hayes draws one this time however the Penguins can’t score on their second power play of the evening. Soon after it’s Kris Letang’s turn to head to the box after knocking over Jesper Bratt. Another kill after some Connor Dewar hero ball to keep rushes going up the ice.

Turns out with 2:00 left that one more power play can get squeezed into a penalty-fest of a period, this time Simon Nemec of the Devils was the guilty party. No dice for the Pens on the late chance for a go-ahead goal.

Silovs and saves like this are the reason the game is tied after two periods:

Ain't no party like an Arty Party

Back-to-back stops on the doorstep! pic.twitter.com/hzyilT524g

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 27, 2026

Third period​

Pittsburgh comes out strong to start the third, the Hayes, Rakell and Rust line builds momentum and amps up the pressure. That continues a little later, Ryan Shea hammers the post so hard the puck ricochets with force way out to Connor Clifton. Clifton can tell that Markstrom is way off his angle and quickly sends another effort in. It hits the crossbar and goes in. 2-1 Pens.

SHEAZO WITH THE OL' OFF THE CROSSBAR APPLE

CLIFFY HAMMERS IT FOR THE LEAD!!! pic.twitter.com/esMbpbziNW

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 27, 2026

50 seconds later, the Pens double their lead. Malkin springs Egor Chinakhov, who drives to the net and makes a deft move to lift the puck back across Markstrom. 3-1 Pens, just like that.

DAD STRENGTH FROM CHINNY! pic.twitter.com/J5dUoK9cn5

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 27, 2026

The Devils pull Markstrom with almost four minutes left, getting aggressive while down two goals. That added pressure might have been a reason Clifton went to clear a puck on his backhand and sailed it out of play to take a penalty. They get Markstrom out for a 6v4 but their push ends when Blake Lizotte picks off a Hamilton pass, skates down and puts the puck into the empty net. 4-1.

Some thoughts​

• Faceoffs will be one area to monitor for the Pens without Crosby. He’s always not only near the top of the league in faceoff winning percentage, but also in pure numbers of faceoffs. This season, for instance, Crosby’s 1,171 faceoffs represent almost 39% of the total draws the team has had and was the third highest in the league. Ben Kindel (way down 402 faceoffs) was next on the list. Faceoffs were a struggle tonight, the Pens only won 40% of the draws and most of their top centers struggled (Rakell at 30%, Lizotte and Novak at a matching 33%).
• Welp, Dan Muse didn’t learn what goaltender interference was during the Olympic break. Muse is now 0-6 at making coaches challenges in that area. Each one has been seemingly been a worse challenge than the next, this one was almost no amount of contact with the goalie. It’s arguably the one hole in Muse’s coaching repertoire so far. Whatever the thought process is on those challenges need to be worked out, already!
• One area Muse has nailed is in the department of picking a goalie. Silovs was incredible in this game and was at his best when most of the game was tight. The Pens weren’t great over stretches for this one, thanks to their goalie they weren’t punished for that and able to punch in a few in the third period to pull away.
• Connor Dewar had two shorthanded breakaways. Didn’t score on either though it’s a sign he’s definitely looking to get up the ice these days even when shorthanded. The Pens’ PK has been good this year (and very good lately) yet they haven’t really been aggressively looking to strike on it too often. That might be changing.
• Samuel Girard as a Penguin was an interesting watch, as expected he’s a good skater. You can tell he’s been well-schooled and coached, had a team-high three blocks and was positioned impeccably in the defensive zone to leave a fine first impression.
• Evgeni Malkin always seems to look fresh and rejuvenated when he gets a few weeks off, he doubtlessly also knows without No. 87 around it’s on him to step up as the guy. That usually works out well too given his 1.34 point/game rate in the situation. Two assists tonight, plus four shots on goal, very noticeable performance.
• The defense was just as key at generating offense tonight. Letang’s shot got deflected for a goal. Shea hit two posts, the second one opening up an opportunity for his partner Clifton to score it himself. All hands are going to have to be on deck like that.
• The penalty kill is going to have to be strong as well, and was up to the task by going a perfect 5/5, plus Lizotte’s EN clincher. Big effort there, particularly in the second period when New Jersey had four cracks at their power play.
• Pens improve to 11-1-5 in games against division opponents this year. Massive stuff to pile up the points against the teams they’re competing with the most for a playoff berth.

That makes for a victorious first game back from the break, getting the Pens off on the right foot for what figures to be a very challenging path ahead. They handled business nicely against a team down in the standings while at home, as they should have. Up next are two afternoon games this weekend, starting in New York against the Rangers on Saturday.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...-pull-away-in-third-period-to-beat-new-jersey

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Olympic hero Jack Hughes gets standing ovation at Pens-Devils game in Pittsburgh

Feb 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Jack Hughes got the welcome fitting for an American hero when the New Jersey Devils showed up in Pittsburgh on Thursday as the NHL is resuming play following the Olympic break.

After scoring an overtime goal against Canada on Sunday in Milan and winning gold for the United States for the first time in 46 years, Jack Hughes received a standing ovation at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.

Before the Penguins game against the Devils, the team honored the players who represented their countries at the Olympics.

“There is no greater honor than to represent your country in the spirit of international competition,” public address announcer Ryan Mill said. “In total, the Penguins and Devils organizations sent a combined sixteen players and staff t0 represent Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.”

International stars ️

Tonight, we honored the men and women who medaled at #MilanoCortina2026! pic.twitter.com/LMM8J21Brh

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 27, 2026

The Penguins also recognized the four members of the United States’ women’s hockey team that won gold and were members of the Cranberry Township-based Penguins Elite program.

When New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes was recognized, he received a standing ovation — the same recognition he and fellow American player Tage Thompson received last night in Newark.

“Congratulations to all of our Winter Olympics representatives,” Ryan Mill said.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/general/7...ing-ovation-at-pens-devils-game-in-pittsburgh

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Ben Kindel keeps getting better

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The injury to Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is obviously not ideal. The time of the year, the playoff race, the fact he is going to miss a couple of weeks and just the simple fact he is Sidney Crosby and there is not really an easy way to replace him all add up into an unfortunate situation the Penguins are going to have to navigate for a bit.

While all of that is true, it is also a big opportunity for rookie center Ben Kindel to keep establishing himself as a big-time player.

He is doing exactly that.

He did not appear on the stat sheet in the Penguins 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night from a goals or assists or points perspective, but it does not matter. He was still one of their best players. In fact, other than starting goalie Arturs Silovs (who was sensational), I thought he was their best overall player. That has also been a recurring theme over the past few weeks of games.

Over the course of the game he had a couple of those “wow” moments where you watched him play and had to say to yourself, “okay, this guy has it.”

There was the play in the first period where he overpowered Nico Hischier, threw him to the ice, stole the puck, and then went back for an odd-man rush to set up Justin Brazeau for a grade-A scoring chance. It did not result in a goal, but it was an incredible play.

There was the one zone exit in the second period where he confidently spun around one New Jersey forechecker and smoothly went up the ice to help establish possession in the offensive zone.

He was everywhere. He has been everywhere.

In the middle of the season he seemed to hit a little bit of a slump offensively, which was always going to be expected given the fact he is an 18-year-old playing in the NHL, but has quickly played his way through it. Over the past 10 games he has six goals, seven total points and is a plus-11 overall. When he is on the ice during 5-on-5 play during this stretch of games, the Penguins have a 13-2 goals advantage (best on the team among players that have played at least 100 minutes during that stretch) and own 58.9 percent expected goal share (fourth-best on the team among players that have played at least 100 minutes during that stretch). He has only had three individual games during that stretch with an expected goal share of under 59 percent, and only two under 50 percent. He has been over 60 percent five times, including one game against the New York Rangers where he posted a 98.9 percent expected goals share.

Just incredible stuff for an 18-year-old center.

Players that age, at that position, do not just step right into the NHL and do this in their draft year unless than are a top-two or-three pick. Even then they do not always drive possession and have this good of a defensive game so quickly.

His presence, as well as his overall development as this season has progressed, and especially his play over the past 10-or-so games, is a big reason why I think the Penguins have a really good chance to maintain something close to their current level of play with Crosby sidelined. He is also a big reason why the long-term math with the Penguins has changed so much. He might not be a Crosby or Connor McDavid level star at his peak, but his potential looks to be even higher than anybody could have reasonably hoped for or anticipated when the Penguins called his name.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/analysis/73312/ben-kindel-keeps-getting-better

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Penguins @ Rangers

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Adam Fox #23of the New York Rangers skates against Ville Koivunen #41 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on October 7, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/73318/gamethread-penguins-rangers

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Rangers Recap: Strong start ends in shootout loss for the Pens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck while being chased by Will Cuylle #50 of the New York Rangers during the second period of a NHL game at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pregame​

Same players for the Penguins, Stuart Skinner gets back into the lineup for the visiting team.

Today's lineup in New York.#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/Bi38dGYwhX

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 28, 2026

First period​

Lots of penalty trouble early for the Rangers, Braden Schneider is the first to go 1:28 into the game. The Pens make them pay quickly. Anthony Mantha gets a great redirect on Erik Karlsson’s point shot, 1-0 Pittsburgh.

Mo magic pic.twitter.com/9F1tq4kBN3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 28, 2026

Soon after, Vincent Trocheck is very unhappy with the officials and abuses them enough to take a penalty and get a 10-minute misconduct tacked on. Pittsburgh scores again, Evgeni Malkin makes a great pass over for Bryan Rust, Rust sends it home.

Penguins were up 2-0 quick… until the second tally was taken away

Goalie interference on this one? Or clean?

(via @espn on ABC) pic.twitter.com/lupH1jujqN

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 28, 2026

The Rangers make a desperation challenge for goalie interference and…somehow it works to get the goal disallowed based on the most minimal of contact by Mantha on goalie Igor Shesterkin. Even though it didn’t really alter the ability to make the save seconds later from the other side. Refs making sure a nationally televised game doesn’t get out of hand? Or not wanting to call a third penalty on NYR three minutes into the game? Or giving Mike Sullivan a bail-out for the Trocheck penalty in the first place? Or just seeing what they decide to see? Who can say.

The rest of the period is pretty good for Pittsburgh, though they don’t score again, Rust hits a post on another close call. The Rangers barely have a pulse for this game. Shots are 10-2 PIT after one.

Second period​

Ryan Shea gets his Sergei Gonchar on early in the second when it comes to dancing along the blueline and throws a puck on net. It hits off Ranger defenseman Scott Morrow and changes direction enough to beat Shesterkin. 2-0 for real this time.

Sheazo let’s one fly pic.twitter.com/rVBMwZVyth

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 28, 2026

NYR gets a long-range shot on Skinner with 14:09, it’s the Rangers’ first shot of the period and in almost 20 game minutes, the crowd responds with the sarcastic cheer, but even that is half-hearted.

A bit later, Rickard Rakell goes to the penalty box for hooking and opens the door for countryman Mika Zibanejad. Trocheck sets Zibanejad up for the big shot, NYR scores to make it 2-1 exactly halfway through the period and game.

The @NYRangers have cut the lead to one!

It's Mika Zibanejad on the power play!

: ABC pic.twitter.com/w7CjO7qPxk

— NHL (@NHL) February 28, 2026

The Rangers sustain some energy for the first time all game, Gabe Perreault nearly ties the game when his shot flies off the post. The Pens are the ones suddenly caught on long shifts and standing around like their skate blades are out.

It’s a lot more disjointed of a period for the Pens (shots are 13-11 PIT in the second) but they do get out of there without giving up any more goals.

Third period​

New York scores early, some good luck when the puck clicks off Rust and goes to Vladislav Gavrikov and then a nice play by Gavrikov to find the open stick of Taylor Raddish for the tip in. 2-2 game.

GAVI WITH THE SHOT + RADDY TIPS IT IN pic.twitter.com/zhygl77Mtq

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 28, 2026

The Pens now become the team to take only one shot halfway through the period and have shifted Ben Kindel to play with Rakell and Rust to shake lines up in an effort to get something, later Malkin will skate with Rust and Rakell on shifts starting on the fly.

Neither team can score again in regulation.

Overtime​

Kindel-Malkin-Karlsson start it out for the Penguins. Pittsburgh ices the puck. Rakell (0-for-9 on the night on faceoffs) loses another and the Rangers take possession of the puck for quite a while, though they’re not in much of a hurry to create.

OT drags along with neither team being overly aggressive, finally in the closing seconds Malkin is able to attack the net and generate a few shots.

Shootout​

Mantha is the first shooter, he loses the handle on a deke attempt and doesn’t even get a shot away.

Trocheck is up for the Rangers, he beats Skinner five-hole.

—

Egor Chinakhov’s turn, he tries for the five-hole but Shesterkin closes it up.

J.T. Miller gets the chance to end the game, Skinner stops him.

—

It’s down to Tommy Novak to keep the game going. He doesn’t, his shot goes well wide.

Some thoughts​

• Another rough day on faceoffs, at one point in the second period the Pens had won just 21% of the faceoffs! The team only had six wins on 29 draws, take out Malkin (who won two, lost two at that point) and the rest of them were 4-for-25 (16%). Didn’t prove to be too disadvantageous today, but it’s a big issue for a team down their best and most frequent faceoff taker in Crosby.
• Other than the starts of play, some line changes are being tinkered with already and bound to happen for tomorrow. Beyond just losing all 10 faceoffs, Rakell didn’t have any shots on goal today. Rust only had two shots and got real quiet after a nice start. Avery Hayes hasn’t been able to show much alongside them. Whether it ends up being Kindel or Malkin – and both took a shift or two with Rakell/Rust today – as the next look there, something’s gotta give in that area immediately.
• The Pens’ first 20 minutes: sublime! Very, very good. The Rangers woke up at the first intermission and started playing a lot better. Pittsburgh was acting like they couldn’t or shouldn’t have to follow in kind, instead staying more at the level when NYR wasn’t very good. Didn’t make for a strong finish.
• As a result, it didn’t look like Pittsburgh squandered opportunities early in the game (most notably on Rust’s disallowed goal, and then Rust hitting the post). Turns out they could have used a little more out of the portion of the game that they dominated than more than just a 1-0 lead.
• Pens fall to 1-8 in the shootout on the season. They at least used new faces, but the results were the same in terms of their shooters not being able to do much of anything and the goaltending hardly being great either. They make it easy for the other team when they’re not even getting 2/3 of the shootout attempts even on net as it happened this time.
• Given how hard the schedule is about to get — starting with first place Vegas tomorrow — letting a point slip away against a last place team hurts in the moment. Up 2-0 and against a bad team that didn’t look interested in playing, the Pens should have been able to get a full result in this one. But when NYR started to get better, as noted above, the visitors didn’t up their games too. Disappointing outcome and last couple of periods here.

In good news, the Pens don’t have to dwell on this very long. The Golden Knights are waiting in Pittsburgh for an afternoon game tomorrow.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...rong-start-ends-in-shootout-loss-for-the-pens

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Golden Knights @ Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 11: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against Tomas Hertl #48 of the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/73319/gamethread-golden-knights-penguins

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Golden Knights Recap: Pens bounce back, shutout Vegas 5-0

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 01: Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his second period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 1, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame​

Same lineup for the Penguins again, Arturs Silovs gets back in the net.

Hockey ! pic.twitter.com/tQV4Il5fEk

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 1, 2026

First period​

Fun first period with free-flowing play and limited faceoffs. Vegas is the better team in the first 5-10 minutes, Pittsburgh then battles back and tips the scales as play moves along. Evgeni Malkin sets the tone with a huge hit on Tomas Hertl, then later helps build momentum with Egor Chinakhov with several scoring chances.

Back-and-forth play ambles along, Ben Kindel has two Golden Knights in front of him when he snaps a long-range shot. It catches Adin Hill a little off guard, 1-0 Pens.

Let Kindy cook pic.twitter.com/yANdAfGHp7

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 1, 2026

The rest of the period slips away quickly, there are only eight faceoffs in the whole period. Shots are low too, 6-5 Pens.

Second period​

Mitch Marner takes the first penalty of the game when he trips Erik Karlsson. The ensuing power play doesn’t get much going but does have a lot of zone time. That leads to Tommy Novak hitting Chinakhov with a pass soon after the penalty expired, Chinakhov displayed his lightning quick release to beat Hill to the far side. 2-0.

Egor Chinakhov has points in nine of his last 11 games (7G-3A).

Since he made his Penguins debut on January 1, no one has more goals than him pic.twitter.com/vPGSmyHtlV

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 1, 2026

A bit later, Avery Hayes hits Colton Sissons, pretty routine. Cole Reinhardt skates over and asks for a fight, Hayes is very willing to give it to him. They throw a few punches and then get tied up, nothing major. The Pens come out of that deal with a power play with Reinhardt picking up an extra minor. The power play scores quickly, Erik Karlsson throws a high shot to the net, the puck bounces around and Bryan Rust is the first on it. Rust flicks it by an out of sorts Hill. 3-0.

Bryan Rust hits the 20‑goal mark for the seventh straight season! #NHLStats: https://t.co/HN7JeIIy8Q

: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T pic.twitter.com/TwvVjkwmup

— NHL (@NHL) March 1, 2026

The Golden Knights get their first power play of the game, Kris Letang is sent off for tripping. The strong Pens PK takes care of it.

Pittsburgh then gets another power play, Vegas is caught with too many players on the ice. The Pens make quick work of it again, Karlsson finds Rickard Rakell who sweeps a puck in past Hill. 4-0.

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood

(via @NHL_On_TNT) pic.twitter.com/NrlIgC0l1O

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) March 1, 2026

The penalty-fest continues when Blake Lizotte gets called for reaching in and tripping Jack Eichel, another successful penalty kill.

The three-goal second period puts the Pens up a commanding 4-0 after 40 minutes, shots were 11-7 PIT in the middle frame.

Third period​

The Knights start trying to get it into gear late but hit a road block when Reilly Smith trips Lizotte.

Hertl pays Malkin back from the first period with a massive open ice hit of his own.

Play continues on, Kindel drops a puck in the offensive zone for Justin Brazeau in support and skates to the net. Brazeau shoots from distance, Hill doesn’t pick up on it. 5-0.

BRAZ BROUGHT THE BURGERS!

Here's how to cash in your @McDonalds offer: https://t.co/QH7j1DPz1i pic.twitter.com/0WGeXvNOlW

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 1, 2026

Some thoughts​

• Chinakhov is up to seven goals in his last nine games. Even when he doesn’t score, the threat of his shot and the possibility is there almost every shift. Really impressive to watch him operate these days, such a talent. He doesn’t need a lot of time or space to get a hard shot away.
• The Bob Grove stat of the day: 2-7-3 in their last 12 home afternoon games and 0-4-2 in the last six Sunday home games. Games like this can be tricky with out of cycle starts and usually back-to-backs on a Sunday.
• Very disjointed game from Vegas, made worse when Mark Stone left with an injury in the first period and didn’t return. Couldn’t have helped matters there, weird occurrence where Letang gave a little push on Stone’s upper arm. No twisting or huge force but something went awry.
• Vegas played to type from the preview, they don’t give up a ton of shots but they don’t get a lot of saves. The Kindel shot was tricky but caught Hill back in his crease. The third goal Hill was also a bit out of position from the mayhem in front and Rust made him pay.
• Unique way for Hayes to pitch in by getting in a fight that drew an extra penalty on the other guy. As it should have, there was nothing wrong with Hayes’s hit in the first place. Reinhardt, understandably, was looking to do something to provide a jolt to his team in that moment (down 2-0 and looking sleepy throughout) yet it backfired since the Pens scored quickly and turned it into a 3-0 game.
• Big game from the special teams, the power play scored twice (plus scored a defacto PPG six seconds after one expired), the PK was 2/2. That’s the foundation for a winning recipe.
• a

Good bounceback from the Pens for letting a point getaway yesterday, the party moves onto Boston on Tuesday night.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...ghts-recap-pens-bounce-back-shutout-vegas-5-0

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

NHL Trade deadline: Penguins primer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Connor Clifton #75 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The NHL trade deadline is approaching this Friday afternoon, March 6th at 3pm Eastern time. The Penguins find themselves in an interesting spot, tied for third currently in points percentage in the Eastern Conference. They have been the most active team at trading this season, having added Egor Chinakhov, Stuart Skinner and Sam Girard during the season, while acquiring and sending out Brett Kulak.

There’s good reason to believe that GM Kyle Dubas isn’t done putting the final touches on his team and making more moves to shuttle players and picks around in order to accomplish his stated goals of positioning the team now and in the future.

What we shouldn’t expect is any bold rental moves aimed solely with short-term ideas. The Pens weren’t involved at all in the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes and they won’t be involved in deals like the ones that included impending free agents like Rasmus Andersson and Kiefer Sherwood.

What’s left? Let’s get into it.

Areas to at least keep an eye on​

Draft pick pile — no team has more quality draft depth in the next three or four years than Pittsburgh. The Pens have two second round picks in each of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 and two third round picks in 2026, 2027 and 2028 thanks to previous trades made. That’s even after trading a second and third round pick for Chinakhov. If an opportunity arises to acquire a young-ish NHL player (like perhaps defenseman Zach Whitecloud) it makes a lot of sense that the Pens can use their excess picks to make that trade.

Connor Clifton —Clifton is an impending free agent that has been in and out of the lineup throughout the season. Lately he’s been a staple on the third pair, bringing his physical game and helping the team. While Clifton shouldn’t necessarily have his bags packed, if the Pens shuffle pieces to bring in a defenseman (like the aforementioned Whitecloud) it might make some sense to make a subsequent trade to send Clifton out to recoup some of that trade price. Hanging onto Clifton for depth’s sake also makes sense, but moving an impending free agent plays into what the team has frequently done.

Stuart Skinner —We wrote about this in detail last week, which all still applies today. Looking at the bigger picture, Arturs Silovs has only given up 16 goals in his last nine games. That has has to be noted if the Pens think Silovs might be turning into the main goalie for the rest of this season, where does that leave Skinner? It’s an intriguing question. Pittsburgh could always opt to stand pat and keep their goalie depth, but standing pat hasn’t been the typical M.O. as of late. You would have to think if a goalie-hungry team like Ottawa or Vegas was interested in Skinner that the Pens would at least hear them out.

Justin Brazeau — This might be months or even a year early, but if there was a time to sell high on Brazeau it would be now that he’s in a career-year in every major category. Brazeau is under contract for next season, so the onus would be on improving that third line for a player that might fit stylistically better with Anthony Mantha and Ben Kindel. Brazeau has been slowing down from his torrid early-season production, he found the back of the net against Vegas (scoring the fifth goal in a 5-0 win) but only had one goal in the 10 games prior to that. If the Pens think Avery Hayes or a trade addition might surpass Brazeau then dealing him could be a proactive move to make. Usually a player like Brazeau would be out of trade considerations at this time, but the Penguins have been so active at shuffling pieces like this around that it’s at least worth a mention.

Potential trade targets​

Right side defense — The addition of Girard has seemingly set the left side for now with Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea in tow. The right side is the area that looks prime for improvement. Whether that means a potential big swing like Dougie Hamilton or Justin Faulk remains to be seen, the options could expand to a rental like Connor Murphy or something in between like Whitecloud. If you had to place a shiny nickel on what position the Penguins will add to this week before the deadline, the right side defense would be a very good selection in whatever form that might be.

Center — There’s no need to overreact managerially to the Sidney Crosby injury since the Pens’ captain should return to the team in a few weeks, yet center could be a place to monitor. Evgeni Malkin has shifted to the wing, leaving the non-center Crosby options of Kindel, Tommy Novak and Rickard Rakell sticking out at the moment. Someone like Vincent Trocheck (32) has been older than what Pittsburgh has been targeting, though the positional flexibility of players like Novak and Rakell could open up possibilities to bring in a center now and figure out the pieces as they go. This could be a longer-term play too, if Malkin isn’t going to be a center on the Pens in 2026-27 then there would be more of a need for a second or third line center next season to join the Crosby-Kindel tandem.

Expect the unexpected – Many of the trades, like Jarry/Skinner and Chinakhov have come out of the blue without much indication until a deal was finalized. Dubas operates in the shadows, and often counter to the conventional wisdom or reports of the day, going back to the ‘reach’ of taking Kindel 11th overall in the draft. Dubas’s next move might very well be something that isn’t seen coming, like adding a Bobby McMann or an even deeper cut for a different target that isn’t mentioned commonly on the trade rumor mill. Given the team’s draft surplus and significant cap space, their hands are free to operate about as creatively as they dare to dream. Lately there has been no shortage of surprising and unpredictable moves, the next one very well could follow that path as coming out of left field.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/rumors/73435/nhl-trade-deadline-penguins-primer

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins 3/3/2026

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins in the first period at the TD Garden on January 11, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-13, 75 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) @ Boston Bruins (33-21-5, 71 points, 5th place Atlantic Division)

When: 7:00 p.m. ET

How to Watch: Streaming on ESPN+, local broadcasts on SN-PT and NESN

Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins are back home later this week for a three-game homestand, which starts Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, continues Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers and wraps up with a Sunday rematch against the Bruins.

Opponent Track: After heading into the Olympic break with back-to-back shootout losses, the Bruins have split their schedule since between a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets and a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia.

Season Series: Joonas Korpisalo earned a 27-save, 1-0 shutout win against the Penguins the last time these two teams met on Jan. 11 at TD Garden.

Hidden Stat: The Bruins have claimed 10 straight wins at TD Garden, marking the franchise’s longest home win streak since the 2022-23 season.

Getting to know the Bruins​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Marat Khusnutdinov – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak

Casey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Viktor Arvidsson

Michael Eyssimont – Fraser Minten – Morgan Geekie

Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic

DEFENSEMEN

Jonathan Aspirot / Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm / Mason Lohrei

Nikita Zadorov / Henri Jokirharju

Goalies: Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo

Potential scratches: Alex Steeves, Andrew Peeke, Jordan Harris

Injured Reserve: Dans Locmelis

• The Bruins were riding an eight-game point streak, dating back to before the Olympic break, before dropping a 3-1 decision to the Flyers on Saturday in Philadelphia.
• Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha, both sidelined ahead of the Olympic break with upper-body injuries, are back to anchor the Bruins’ top two lines.

Season stats
via hockeydb

• Morgan Geekie just tied a career high with 33 goals, and he’s done it in just 58 games this season.
• The Bruins’ top defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, is riding a nine-game point streak dating all the way back to Jan. 22.
• The penalty kill has been a weakness this season for the Bruins, who are heading into this matchup ranked 27th in the NHL with a 76.7 percent PK rate. The team reportedly made some significant changes to the unit after the Olympic break, per The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa. Since then— albeit in a small sample size— the Bruins PK has been perfect, going 1-for-1 against the Blue Jackets and 3-for-3 against the Flyers last week.
• The Bruins are in the market for a “top-six forward and a right-shot defenseman” at the trade deadline, according to a recent report from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta. They’re reportedly dangling AHL forward Matthew Poitras as a potential trade piece, per Pagnotta.
• Here’s a look at the Eastern Conference playoff race as of Monday night, per NHL.com. The Bruins are just two points up on the race for the final Wild Card spot in the East, although they have three games in hand on the Washington Capitals for the spot.

And now for the Pens​

Projected lines

FORWARDS

Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin

Avery Hayes – Rickard Rakell – Bryan Rust

Anthony Mantha – Ben Kindel – Justin Brazeau

Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

DEFENSEMEN

Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson

Sam Girard / Kris Letang

Ryan Shea / Connor Clifton

Goalies: Arturs Silovs, Stuart Skinner played yesterday

Potential Scratches: Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves, Ilya Solovyov

IR: Sidney Crosby, Filip Hallander, Jack St. Ivany

• Not much news from Monday. As of Monday, Evgeni Malkin was set to have a talk with Penguins management about a potential extension “in the next day or two,” per The Athletic’s Josh Yohe.
• A few milestones potentially on the table tonight: Rickard Rakell is three assists short of 300, Sam Girard is two assists shy of 200 and Kris Letang is one point back from No. 800.
• Per Pens PR: Only the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights have more 20-goal scorers than in Pittsburgh, where Sidney Crosby, Anthony Mantha and Bryan Rust have each reached the threshold this season.
• Another fun fact from Pens PR: the Pens’ fourth line of Noel Acciari, Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte has been on the ice for seven 5v5 goals against, the fewest of any forward line that has been together for at least 250 minutes at even strength this season.
• The Pens’ Sunday win over the Vegas Golden Knights boosted their MoneyPuck playoff odds to 89.4 percent heading into Tuesday.

Playoff chances as of Sunday https://t.co/RbnckCLHNP pic.twitter.com/Rg4HBNSeew

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) March 1, 2026

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/general/73449/game-preview-pittsburgh-penguins-boston-bruins-3-3-2026

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Penguins @ Bruins

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Tanner Jeannot #84 of the Boston Bruins checks Brett Kulak #77 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at the TD Garden on January 11, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 1-0. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/73422/gamethread-penguins-bruins

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Pens Points: Tripped up in Boston

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 3: Casey Mittelstadt #11 of the Boston Bruins scores against Stuart Skinner #74 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the TD Garden on March 3, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…​

The Pittsburgh Penguins shipped up to Boston on Tuesday night. The Penguins fell 2-1 to the B’s after taking an early lead from an Erik Karlsson goal but surrendering two fast first-period goals, and despite late pressure, they couldn’t find the equalizer. Next up is Buffalo on Thursday night. [Recap]

Most Penguins fans would likely agree that their team has sort of flown under the radar for much of the 2025-26 season, and many national pundits have seemed surprised at Pittsburgh’s success thus far, despite strong statistical outputs and elevated play. Why is that? Perhaps because of originally low preseason expectations and a recent lack of playoff success. [PensBurgh]

News and updates from around the NHL…​

The NHL is closing in on naming a host city for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, but commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that a decision isn’t ready yet and could come in the next few weeks as the league reviews submitted bids. [Sportsnet]

The Buffalo Sabres are buyers?! It appears so. Talks are rapidly progressing between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues involving forward Robert Thomas, according to a report from NHL insider Darren Dreger. [TSN]

Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk, who is signed through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $5.5 million, said he isn’t comfortable being part of the team’s rebuild. While there have been no reported interested buyers, he and a few other Canuck players are names to watch ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. [TSN]

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/7350...f-hockey-sabres-robert-thomas-canucks-debrusk

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Wilkes Weekly: Murashov’s save of the year candidate

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: Cleveland Monsters goaltender Zach Sawchenko (36) traps the puck as Cleveland Monsters defenseman Will Butcher (39) defends Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Cleveland Monsters on February 27, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins took a split this past weekend in Cleveland, winning the first game and losing the second in overtime. WBSPenguins.com with the review:

Friday, Feb. 27 – PENGUINS 3 at Cleveland 2
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took the lead with a pair of quick goals and never looked back to defeat Cleveland in a spirited bout to start the weekend. Atley Calvert and Ville Koivunen scored 45 seconds apart to put the Penguins up 2-0 in the first period. Aidan McDonough buried one 23.8 seconds before the second intermission, keeping the team ahead 3-1. The Monsters made it a one-goal game in the third, but Joel Blomqvist was a fortress late, ensuring Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got the win.

Saturday, Feb. 28 – PENGUINS 1 at Cleveland 2 (OT)
Another nail-biter between the Penguins and Monsters went to overtime, where Cleveland picked up its league-leading 10th OT win of the year. The Monsters struck first, but a power-play goal in the second period by Matt Dumba equalized. Koivunen posted an assist on the goal, running his point streak to six games. Sergei Murashov made 27 stops, including a save-of-the-year candidate when the game was tied 1-1.

Sergei Murashov helped the Penguins get to overtime in the Saturday game by flashing the glove with this save of the year caliber stop.

SERGEI MURASHOV pic.twitter.com/GG8TZKaKsP

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) February 28, 2026

Unfortunately, Murashov would pickup the OT loss, his season stats are up to a 20-6-2 record with a .924 save% and 2.12 GAA and three shutouts. Joel Blomqvist picked up the win on Friday to move his season record to 10-4-3, as usual this year netminding has been a major positive factor in WBS.

There was more good news from the league office, forward Ville Koivunen was named AHL player of the month in February for his 16 point effort.

March comes in like a Penguin. @WBSPenguins | @penguins | @FortuneTiresUSA

: https://t.co/slgRkEY7ti pic.twitter.com/fswXUtDBvs

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 2, 2026

The picture in the standings remains positive, WBS is chugging along towards where they’ve been heading for a while: second place in the division and a bye for the first round of the playoffs with now only 17 games still to play in their 72-game regular season.

All eyes will now focus on the upcoming NHL trade deadline and what that might mean for the roster in Wilkes for the rest of the season. There can still be AHL level trades made after the NHL deadline, but all pro players must be on an AHL roster on Friday to maintain eligibility.

The biggest lingering question for Wilkes figures to be whether or not the NHL Penguins decide to make a transaction to send Avery Hayes back to the minor leagues this week, or come to a decision that Hayes will remain with the NHL team for the balance of the season. At this point it might look like the Ryan Graves AHL experience has come to an end, for this season at least as well. Other prospects and players within the team might be awaiting a call that has seen them included in a trade to send them out of the Pittsburgh organization.

Up ahead is a light two-game schedule this week, Wilkes plays at home tonight against Springfield and then travels for a Friday game against Syracuse. Both opponents are in good form, Springfield is in seventh place but is 3-0-1 in their last four games, Syracuse ranks second in the AHL’s North Division and is carrying a 9-1-0 record in their previous 10 games.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/wbs-weekly/73518/wilkes-weekly-murashovs-save-of-the-year-candidate

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Bruins Recap: Pens frustrated in Beantown, fall 2-1

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 3: Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against Nikita Zadorov #91 and Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on March 3, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame​

Blake Lizotte is out with an injury, Kevin Hayes is back. Rickard Rakell’s stint as a center is over, at least for now, so say hello to first line Ben Kindel. Stuart Skinner starts in net.

How we're lining up tonight #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/pf9X8NwCae

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 3, 2026

They meet the Bruins with this lineup.

The lines look like this. pic.twitter.com/2LBU53AaER

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 3, 2026

First period​

Exciting first minute, hope everyone got to their seats on time. Boston starts out with two really good chances, forcing big saves from Skinner. Play goes the other way and Erik Karlsson’s point shot finds the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

EK65 GETS US STARTED! pic.twitter.com/OoHUW2m3FN

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 4, 2026

The Bruins decide to challenge for Kindel interfering with the goalie, there isn’t much to see so the officials don’t agree, penalty to Boston for delay of the game. All this in the first 42 seconds!

Can’t hope for much better for the Penguins, however at this point the game turns against them in a major way. The aggressive Boston penalty holds the puck for a while, enough to where Anthony Mantha can slip behind the defense and get sprung on a breakaway by Egor Chinakhov. Jeremy Swayman is there to stop it, and it’s all Boston from here on out.

A few minutes after that, the Pens can’t get out of the zone and the bouncing puck gets to Marat Khusnutdinov who has the time and space to unleash a very nice shot to the far side. 1-1 game.

KHUSY CONNECTS pic.twitter.com/Ylx4oHbAlz

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 4, 2026

Fifty seconds later, the Bruins strike again. Another play that starts in the right corner ends up with the Penguins overskating and chasing the puck towards Nikita Zadorov once they had overcommitted down to the corner. Zadorov puts a low and hard shot that’s destined to be a rebound and becomes just that. It’s Casey Mittlestadt there to put it away, with no one around him since the pack shifted back to the open ice. 2-1 game at exactly the 6:00 mark.

CASEY CLEANS UP pic.twitter.com/bcsWoG0lno

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 4, 2026

Dan Muse has seen enough after five of the last six minutes of the game was so sloppy, he utilizes his timeout and shows a lot of emotion yelling to his team to try and shake them out of the funk.

The results are iffy at best, though at least it stopped the momentum. Connor Clifton took a penalty for holding, the Pens’ PK was able to answer.

Pittsburgh gets a power play late in the period but don’t get much out of it. 2-1 BOS after 20, shots are 12-7 in favor of the home team.

Second period​

The second looks again like the first with Boston carrying a lot of zone time and hemming the Pens in for long stretches. Pittsburgh gets a few chances here and there, but mostly one and dones like another Karlsson shot hitting the post.

The team trade penalties, Chinakhov is off for a high-stick but then the Bruins get caught with too many men on the ice during their power play.

Anthony Mantha gets rung up for a modest cross-checking penalty but Boston can’t score on the power play and the period ends as Bryan Rust disgustedly smacks the puck away in frustration. It’s been a frustrating go for him and his teammates so far.

Shots-wise, the Pens actually did well with a 15-11 advantage in the second period. Didn’t feel that way for large stretches of the period. Boston up 2-1 with 20 to go.

Third period​

Karlsson’s strong night continues when he draws a penalty. No goal comes of it but the Pens look about as they have all night building some pressure and carrying the play more. Tommy Novak glanced a shot off the crossbar, Ben Kindel followed that up a shift later by creating a nice chance.

The Bruins have folded, purposely or not, into a strong defensive shell and focus – only generating a shot or two over the first 10-12 minutes of the period.

The Pens get basic and try to get pucks and bodies to the net to smash one over the line but aren’t able to do so.

Skinner gets pulled for an extra attacker, the game is kept alive when the Bruins hit a post. Time runs out before either team can score and the Bruins skate off with a 2-1 victory.

Some thoughts​

• Mantha scored on a breakaway about a month ago against Chicago on the same little fake shot to backhand move, didn’t work out this time early in the first period. Shame about that, gotta wonder if he converts there to make it 2-0 Pittsburgh about two minutes into the game how that might have changed the course of the game.
• Then again, if Boston has to be given a lot of credit for this one. They were quicker to plays, and as Colby Armstrong said on the broadcast the Bruins were picking off Penguin breakouts left and right, as if their prescouting gave them all the keys and the execution was very sharp.
• This was only the fourth regulation loss for the Pens in the last 24 games and only their second regulation loss since falling in a similar 1-0 tough loss in Boston back on January 11th. Sometimes loses happen, on the road, things are just not quite in sync on the evening. The opponent has something to do with that to pin them in, cut off the walls and pick off pucks up the middle, get solid goaltending. If anything it stands out how rarely these kind of games have happened to the Pens in this great stretch of play they’ve had since Christmas.
• Kris Letang left the game in the second period, which perhaps would have been worse than the loss of the game, but was able to return to the game partway through the third period. That could develop into a big story depending on the severity there, if any. Given all the games in the near future and the upcoming trade deadline on Friday, that blueline position might be standing out more even with a close call.
• Great game from Karlsson, the early goal had him in a shooting mood all night long. A whopping 15 shot attempts (six on goal), one goal, one post. For a while more often than not it seemed like about the only time a white jersey was shooting the puck it was coming from No. 65.
• Evgeni Malkin took eight faceoffs, his most in a single game since 12/1. Didn’t go well (only won two of them) though it’s notable that he’s getting more into the groove after taking 0, 1 or 2 faceoffs for 15 straight games recently, he’s now up to 16 draws over the most recent three games. At this rate, and given the Pens’ center situation, Malkin might be working his way back to his natural center position which is a good sign about his health and the stability of the shoulder getting back to normal or at least good enough to be in his typical spot.
• Overall the faceoff situation was about as dreadful as it’s consistently come to be in the last four Crosby-less games. The team only won 34% of their draws, including lineup addition Kevin Hayes going 0-for-5. Hayes is big, strong and a veteran which usually corresponds to the skills associated with being good at that area, but Hayes isn’t really adept at that skill in general (winning only 37.6% of his 101 faceoffs on the season entering this game). Kinda a bummer there, would have been nice if he at least could provide a little bit of value with that skill but it isn’t an area he excels.
• Another Crosby effect: Pittsburgh forwards have scored four total 5v5 goals over these last four games (Chinakhov vs NJ; Kindel, Chinakhov and Brazeau against Vegas). In two of the games, including tonight, there were no 5v5 goals from a forward to be found. That’s tough sledding, in some respects carrying a 2-1-1 record without Crosby so far still is fairly impressive to find ways to generate enough production. They just couldn’t find that goal they needed — either with the 0/4 power play or at even strength in this game —which ultimately served as a major reason why they came up short.

It doesn’t get much easier from here, next game coming up against mighty (!) Buffalo on Thursday.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...ns-recap-pens-frustrated-in-beantown-fall-2-1

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Sabres Recap: Malkin ejected, Pens spiral in 5-1 loss

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 05: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres has a disagreement with Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame​

The Penguins get Blake Lizotte back from injury and give Arturs Silovs his turn in net, otherwise it’s same as it has been when in the Crosby-less times.

Tonight's lineup vs. Buffalo pic.twitter.com/UKP2d0YgJf

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 5, 2026

The visiting Buffalo Sabres bring this wagon into town.

Tonight's projected lineup in Pittsburgh. #LetsGoBuffalo | @newyorklottery pic.twitter.com/5ekQJFF0Wd

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 5, 2026

First period​

The first period is defined by four penalty calls; two on each team. The early two, first a Penguin power play then later a Sabre PP, are largely uneventful.

The last two feature a shorthanded goal by each team. The Pens get what might have been a kiss of death when Anthony Mantha attempted a low-percentage chance through the middle that got picked off. Later on, Ryan McLeod played the puck off the board and rocketed by Kris Letang. Even if Letang had abandoned his position and started backpedaling he was probably already cooked given how fast McLeod is and his propensity for taking advantage of shorthanded opportunities. McLeod makes easy work of his fifth SH goal of the season with a backhand deke. 1-0 Buffalo.

Ryan McLeod is just too fast #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/NjGBrnTw56

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 6, 2026

It looks like the situation might have gotten worse for Pittsburgh when they took a penalty, but a nice team effort first from Connor Clifton then from Ben Kindel gets the puck to Bryan Rust. Rust takes off, drives to the net and scores on a deke of his own while shorthanded 1-1 game.

The Milkshake Man

Enjoy half-off Rusty's shakes at the @MShakeFactory tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/nPsHatS6Jv

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 6, 2026

Shots are 7-6 Buffalo after one, with the ever-rare two shorthanded goals in a period to set the score at 1-1.

Second period​

Angry Geno shows up early in the second. After taking a crosscheck from Rasmus Dahlin, Malkin responds with his stick to use it to slash down on Dahlin’s head. Malkin drops his glove in anger but eases up seeing Dahlin is hurt. The refs review the call and toss Malkin from the game with a five-minute major and game misconduct for his actions.

Malkin got a 5 minute major for slashing Dahlin on this play pic.twitter.com/6DUfPbih2A

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 6, 2026

The Pens stand strong for a while on the extended penalty kill, they finally score when a rebound comes to Josh Norris and he follows up with it. However, Josh Doan was in the blue paint and bumps into Silovs. Pittsburgh challenges the goal for goalie interference. The refs take a look but rule a slight shove by Letang contributed to the contact and allow the goal to stand.

And we're up #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/khC7FNPgOw

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 6, 2026

That means a delay of game penalty for Pittsburgh, who face 1:28 of a 5v3. While that is going on, Buffalo takes a penalty. Then the refs put an arm up for another delayed call on Pittsburgh and the Sabres score to make it 3-1.

Alex Tuch with the redirect!#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/4jGzHPip6U

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 6, 2026

The Pens are way on their back foot now, Owen Power skates up from his defensive position to take a cross-ice pass and fires a puck through Silovs. 4-1 game, still 9:32 to go in the period.

Patience pays off for OP #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/U4eW9Cs0CT

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 6, 2026

The Pens get their best offensive zone shift of probably the whole game, and even that ends in disaster when Brock Malenstyn sends Parker Wotherspoon head-first into the boards. Wotherspoon slowly scrapes himself off the ice, Malenstyn only gets two minutes on the call. Egor Chinakhov sends a puck off the post.

Well, this one spiraled out of control in the second. Awful decision by Malkin and the team got put into a hole they kept falling deeper into against a quality opponent who had plenty of chances to take advantage.

Third period​

The nastiness continues, the refs blow a play dead for offsides but Justin Brazeau weakly shoots it at the goalie anyways. Buffalo players gets in his face and Avery Hayes delivers a little shot to Tuch from behind, felling Tuch for a bit. The temps are getting warmer and playoff intensity is almost here!

Ben Kindel pins a Buffalo player’s stick to his body and clamps down, drawing the ire of the refs. The Pens kill this one off.

Pittsburgh draws a penalty and then pull the goalie with over 7 minutes to play to gain a 6v4 advantage. Gotta love it! Doesn’t pay off, finally with 3:07 remaining Buffalo gets their next shot on goal, a long-distance one that finds the target. 5-1.

a

Some thoughts​

• Malkin should expect to hear from the league office for his actions. The slow motion replay, as ever, loses some context and makes the play look even worse but there’s still no excuse to respond to a cross-check by hacking a guy in the head. That’s a suspendable action. Malkin was last suspended in 2022, technically he won’t be a “repeat offender” for disciplinary purposes since it’s been more than 18 months since his last suspension. In 2017, Radko Gudas received a 10-game suspension for slashing on arguably a more savage event during the course of play. Who knows how that might compare or apply to this situation but either way it’s likely going to be a multi-game absence for Malkin coming up.
• The one piece of good news is Dahlin returned to the game and apparently didn’t pick up an injury out of it. That’s going to be a positive factor in Malkin’s favor for whatever decision is made.
• Dan Muse still hasn’t won a goalie interference challenge this season, but I can’t blame him too much for this challenge (unlike some in the past). This was a good opportunity to have the refs take a look at the play, we’ve seen goals across the league taken away for less. It backfired, but given the situation to potentially bring the score back to 1-1, can’t knock the decision making this time around. And that said, all in all, Letang did push Doan which may/may not have been the deciding factor, sometimes gotta chance that it’ll go your way.
• Wotherspoon is a tough customer and fortunately was able to keep playing on. He took a nasty lick, if we’re going to review penalties that certainly could have warranted an extra look. Kinda crazy this is a league where you can nearly paralyze a guy and receive the same punishment as flipping the puck out of play in the defensive zone or send an extra player out there too soon.
• Wotherspoon did come back after that hit, but only skated three shifts for 3:06 icetime in the third period. It’ll be worth watching what happens with him moving forward, the Pens really can’t afford to lose him for an extended amount of time.
• Teams are scoring so much at 6v5 this season in late-game situations when pulling the goalie, why not pull the goalie with all the time in the world left while down three goals and on the power play? Gotta get creative and try new things, there’s some statistical school of thoughts that say NHL teams should be much more aggressive at pulling their goalie. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and let’s be honest down that many goals with time starting to go away it’s a good time for a drastic decision.

Well, that was forgettable. The Pens move on for two more home games this weekend, starting on Saturday.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...-recap-malkin-ejected-pens-spiral-in-5-1-loss

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Sidney Crosby returns to practice, Evgeni Malkin gets call from league

EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 22: Sidney Crosby #87 and Evgeni Malkin #71 have a conversation during a stoppage in play in the second period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on January 22, 2026, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

One piece of good news and one piece of (expected) bad news on the front for superstar centers today for the Penguins.

Let’s get the bad out of the way, Evgeni Malkin is facing a suspension from the league for his slashing penalty last night against the Sabres.

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin will have a hearing today for slashing Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 6, 2026

The hearing being conducted over the phone could be a telling sign of the discipline coming. That it’s just a hearing and not an in-person meeting suggests the suspension will be five games or less, since an in-person meeting must be offered if the more serious amount of discipline is being considered. Malkin was last suspended in 2022 for four games over crossing-checking a player in the face, but somehow it doesn’t look like his latest brush with the league will be more damaging. Malkin was given a game misconduct and kicked out of virtually two-thirds of a game to start with, we’ll see how much more time off that he could be looking at being away from the Penguins.

In happier news, Sidney Crosby has returned to practice, wearing a normal jersey and looking mighty healthy today.

More Sidney Crosby at #Pens practice, looking good pic.twitter.com/R5hy3gmktF

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) March 6, 2026

Sidney Crosby has joined the Pens on the ice. pic.twitter.com/hRPOTtO4ry

— Dan Potash (@DanPotashTV) March 6, 2026

GM Kyle Dubas said yesterday that it has now has been already over two weeks since Crosby was injured and the team was hopeful that all his hard work rehabbing the injury would progress into something further.

I think, as you know, he’s extraordinarily diligent, and is going to do everything he can. He always puts his team first. And his way of doing that is making decisions that are totally selfless over there in Milan, and then coming back here and really doing everything he can to get back and help the Penguins. So, he’s in here for long hours every day rehabbing his injury. It’s been over two weeks now, so hopefully we’ve kind of crossed the peak, and we’re coming down the other side where we’ll start to see him get back on the ice and test it that way. Obviously that that will be the best trade deadline addition that we could make, is when Sid returns to the lineup. We’ll just continue to try to stack some points up in his absence and put the team in a good spot as he has put the team in a great spot for over two decades now. So, it’s the team’s chance to give back.

Crosby is eligible to come off the injured reserve at any time. It’s been just over two weeks since he suffered the injury (and due to trying to play in the gold medal game, plus traveling back to Pittsburgh, it was also noted he did not immediately begin his rehab) so it remains to be seen exactly when he will return to the lineup. However, if he passes the test of getting through today’s practice, things would have to look good for Crosby to join the team on their upcoming road trip and possibly comeback sooner than later.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/7360...-practice-evgeni-malkin-gets-call-from-league

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins add forward Elmer Soderblom from Detroit

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Elmer Soderblom #85 of the Detroit Red Wings skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Little Caesars Arena on January 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Penguins have made their first trade on deadline day, adding forward Elmer Soderblom from Detroit for a third round pick.

The Penguins have acquired forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick (originally belonging to San Jose).

Details: https://t.co/cPMi67CpvC pic.twitter.com/IAiqKPOwLi

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 6, 2026

From the team:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick (originally belonging to San Jose), it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.

Soderblom is signed through the 2026-27 season, and his contract carries an average annual value of $1.125 million.

The 6-foot-8, 252-pound forward has appeared in 39 games this season where he’s recorded two goals, one assist and three points. The 24-year-old has played parts of each of the last three seasons in the NHL, all with Detroit, where he’s accumulated 22 points (11G-11A) in 86 career regular-season games.

Soderblom has skated in 119 career AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, notching 23 goals, 31 assists and 54 points. He’s also appeared in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games over parts of two seasons.

Prior to coming to North America, the native of Gothenburg, Sweden played parts of three seasons from (2019-22) with Frolunda of the SHL, Sweden’s top professional league, where he tallied 38 points (24G-14A) in 90 career regular-season games. He also represented his home country at the 2021 World Junior Championship, as well as the 2019 World Under-18 Championship where he brought home a gold medal.

Soderblom was drafted by Detroit in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Soderblom is a unit, as the kids might say, at 6’8” and over 250 pounds he’s one of the biggest pro hockey players out there these days. So far he’s been finding his way in the Detroit organization, splitting the last two seasons in the NHL and AHL before becoming a mainstay in the NHL roster this season with 39 NHL games under his belt. An obvious parallel for Soderblom is Justin Brazeau, similar in size and has figured out a way to get up to NHL speed in his mid-20’s.

Elmer Soderblom, acquired by PIT, is an enormous depth winger. Sheltered small minutes for the Wings with very little production. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/p3cx1RYEBc

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 6, 2026

This transaction stays in-line with stated goals by GM Kyle Dubas for the Penguins to find younger, NHL ready talent that might contribute more in a bigger opportunity. Soderblom carries a $1.125 million salary cap hit this season and next. The Penguins still have their own selection in the third round of the 2026 draft.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/73612/penguins-add-forward-elmer-soderblom-from-detroit

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Evgeni Malkin suspended for five games

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 05: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) skates with the puck during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on March 5, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The NHL has ruled, Evgeni Malkin will be out for the next five games on suspension due to his slash against Rasmus Dahlin.

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games for slashing Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin. https://t.co/CJFhMVuZ9k

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 7, 2026

From the league:

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has been suspended for five games, without pay, for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during NHL Game No. 977 in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 5, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 0:35 of the second period. Malkin was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking, a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Malkin will forfeit $158,854.15. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Malkin will be eligible to return on the March 16th game against Colorado. He will miss games against four teams in currently in a playoff position (Boston, Carolina, Vegas and Utah) as well as tomorrow’s game against Philadelphia.

In response, the Penguins have recalled forward Ville Koivunen from the AHL on an emergency basis. The Pens also acquired forward Elmer Soderblom at the NHL trading deadline. The team will miss the impact of Malkin, their second-leading scorer this season with 47 points in 46 games, especially while their leading scorer Sidney Crosby continues to rehab an injury suffered at the Olympics. Crosby practiced today and the team has been hopeful he is moving in the direction of a return, though he still figures to be a ways away from the initial four week timeline on an injury suffered just over two weeks ago.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/73648/evgeni-malkin-suspended-for-five-games

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Penguins/Flyers Recap: Pens can’t capitalize on late chances, fall in shootout

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 07: Alex Bump #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers moves the puck against Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame​

There’s no Evgeni Malkin (suspension) or Sidney Crosby (injury) so the Penguins are working with this lineup today.

How we're lining up vs. PHI pic.twitter.com/8cwVFeeCyI

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 7, 2026

First period​

Good start for the Penguins, the Flyers take the first penalty about 90 seconds into the game and then about 90 seconds later a pretty passing play between Justin Brazeau to Tommy Novak leads to an opening goal.

A PPG for PGH pic.twitter.com/FlN0MY6bW3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 7, 2026

Philadelphia is able to respond less than a minute later, Avery Hayes tries to clear the zone but isn’t quite on the same page with Ville Koivunen, the turnover gets down to Trevor Zegras. Zegras makes a nice pass over to Owen Tippett who has the time and space to beat Stuart Skinner with a shot. 1-1.

A passing masterclass. #PHIvsPIT | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/x82gVQdkaX

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 7, 2026

Hayes finishes a big time hit on Cam York behind the net. Jamie Drysdale takes offense to it, not much comes out of the fight where both are off-balance. The Pens get a power play out of the sequence but are unable to score.

Something's telling me these teams don't like each other…

AVERY HAYES FEARS NO MAN! https://t.co/46A0IJZNZz pic.twitter.com/qx3OsTOKnc

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) March 7, 2026

Shots are 8-2 PIT after one period; a fight, some nice hits, some goals, a nice Penguin/Flyer game to start.

Second period​

Pittsburgh scores in the second period, Egor Chinakhov feeds Rickard Rakell, who steps into a wrister from the top of the circles that ends up in the back of the net in part thanks to the Bryan Rust center lane drive. 2-1 Pens.

A RICKY ROCKET! pic.twitter.com/BjPxgXpeWx

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 7, 2026

The Flyers find another answer quickly, Ben Kindel tries to bump a puck back to Connor Clifton but it gets turned over deep in the Pens’ zone. It ends up going to Alex Bump, who is able to score in his first career NHL game by settling a rolling puck and firing by Stuart Skinner. 2-2.

Welcome to the show, Alex Bump! #PHIvsPIT | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/ub5L3F0Ace

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 7, 2026

It takes another minute for the Penguins to respond to that. Rakell wins an offensive zone faceoff and Chinakhov plays the puck back to Erik Karlsson. Dan Vladar has a clean lane to see the shot, but it sails through his blocker side anyways. 3-2 Pens.

EK65 lets one rip pic.twitter.com/qm2AY5KCXP

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 7, 2026

Philadelphia is able to tie the game once again, another Penguin turnover results in a nice passing sequence for Denver Barkey to flick into the net. 3-3 game.

The kids are alright!#PHIvsPIT | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/9Nak1e2ku1

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 8, 2026

Kris Letang’s rough period continues, he allows Travis Sanehim to skate right through him and then has to slash at him from behind to help deny a scoring chance. The Flyers get their second power play of the game out of it, they come up empty.

There are only 25 total shots in the game after 40 minutes (15-10 for PIT) but there have been six total goals, three per team.

Third period​

The Pens are the better team at the start, Chinakhov gets a great chance that just misses the net, as does a Novak tip attempt on a Karlsson point shot. Rakell flashes and forces a Flyer to take a penalty to alter a scoring chance to send Pittsburgh to their fourth power play of the game but they don’t manage even a shot on goal.

The Flyers then get a few chances but don’t score. Rakell draws a second power play in the period by taking a stick up high for a big chance with just 6:40 to play in the game. It gets a ton of zone time but is mostly stagnant and the puck remains to the outside.

Quiet period, each team records four SOG a piece, neither comes particularly close to breaking the tie during regulation.

Overtime​

Rakell-Rust-Karlsson start out the 3v3 for the Pens. Pittsburgh got the puck back but Novak looked like he got hurt in the corner. The Flyers have a 3-on-2 the other way and Trevor Zegras’s pass through the crease gets inadvertently blocked away from the open net by his own teammate.

Vladar makes a stop on Chinakhov but then steps out of his crease and puts a pick on Karlsson. Can’t do that, refs penalize him and Zegras slams a stick to the ice in frustration of his goalie’s mistake.

4v3 power play with 2:09 to go, Skinner wisely heads to the bench for an “equipment issue” to serve as an impromptu, uncharged timeout for the Pens to get ready. Karlsson does send a shot off the outside of the post at one point, but all things considered a tough miss.

Shootout​

Anthony Mantha is the first one up, he swoops in slowly and shoots right into Vladar’s leg pads.

Matvei Michkov goes first for the Flyers, similarly his low shot is stopped by the legs of Skinner.

—

Rakell is the second shooter for the Pens, his shot finds the post but ricochets out.

The dangerous Trevor Zegras is up next, he dances in then picks a corner, making it look easy on the goal.

—

Chinakhov has to score to keep the game alive, he doesn’t.

Some thoughts​

• We’ve been coming back to the difficulty for the forwards to produce 5v5 goals lately without Sidney Crosby around (they only have five 5v5 goals from a forward in the last six games), it was huge for Rakell to get on the board in the second period. It’s almost like a bonus these days when that happens, tough to live like that indefinitely but hopefully Crosby’s eventual return will help boost that area.
• The power play went 1/6 won’t kill yearly percentage but doesn’t really like in a good flow, especially the first group. That’s partially to be expected with no Crosby and now no Evgeni Malkin. It’s not always going to be pretty, getting as much as they can out of it is absolutely crucial within the game —since as mentioned above— it’s been a struggle for the forwards at even strength so they need players like Brazeau and Novak to produce goals in whatever way they can.
• Pens fall to 1-9 on the shootout, more of the same where they can’t find a goal at all. But the problem isn’t the shootout in this one, the problem was letting this game get to the shootout in the first place. Philadelphia only had five total SOG in the third period + OT, basically doing nothing out there. That’s a disappointment to let a game drag on so far — especially with the late power play in OT. The game is right there for the taking for the Pens, they simply were unable to reach out and grab it.
• On all the Flyers goals, the Penguins had the puck in their defensive zone less than five seconds before the goal was scored. That’s got to be frustrating for the coaches. On a pair of goals it looked like Kindel was caught in space and Koivunen was either weak on the puck or half a beat too slow to gain a clearance. Kris Letang making mistakes all over the place didn’t help either. It happens with young players, but it’s a lesson to be a little more on the details or learn that the puck ends up in your own net mighty quickly at this level.
• There was an adjustment made in that department for the start of the third period; Kindel was put on a line with Mantha/Brazeau (a line from earlier in the season) and Novak moved in to play with Koivunen/Hayes.
• Two assist game for Chinakhov, who seamlessly fit in with his new linemates of the day. Nice to see him continue his productive ways apart from Malkin.
• Great game from Rakell, he actually won 45% of his 21 faceoffs which is legitimately a very positive increase. A goal, an assist (due to a faceoff win) and he was a beast at taking the puck off Flyers in the 3v3. One of his best games in a long time.
• Today was the last PIT/PHI game of the year, and I don’t know, March 7th and Game No. 62 is too early in the season to not have any more Pens/Flyers games. Kinda a bummer.
• The Pens went 2-0-2 against the Flyers this season, which in NHL math is as good as three wins.

It’s going to be a struggle for Pittsburgh to claw out any and every point that they can without Crosby and Malkin. and now move to 2-2-2 in the six games post-Olympics without their captain. Staying .500 will help keep the afloat, though it would be nice to see them dig deep and get some sort of result at home against the Bruins tomorrow. Easier said than done with that opponent.

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-reca...t-capitalize-on-late-chances-fall-in-shootout

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Flyers @ Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 15: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck as he is pressured by Noah Cates #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 15, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/73526/gamethread-flyers-penguins

 

[Pittsburgh Penguins]

Gamethread: Bruins @ Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 13: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against Elias Lindholm #28 of the Boston Bruins in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/game-open-threads/73529/gamethread-bruins-penguins