Pittsburgh Penguins
Hall of Famer
Pens Points: Road Trip Wrapped
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/74233/pens-points-road-trip-wrapped
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 18: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a save against Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Lenovo Center on March 18, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
A long five game road trip that began in Raleigh, North Carolina eight days prior and featured stops in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Denver came to a close last night right back where is started with a familiar result that has become all too routine for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
Trailing on four different occasions last night against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins battled back each time and even pulled ahead briefly in the third period before ultimately falling in overtime by a score of 6-5 at the Lenovo Center. Sidney Crosby returned to the lineup for the first time since the Olympics and scored the Penguins opener, followed up by a pair of goals from Erik Karlsson, along with additional tallies by Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel. Ultimately the five goals were not enough as the Hurricanes posted six to claim the overtime victory and further cement their Metro division lead over the Penguins and Islanders. [Pensburgh]
Even with the loss, the Penguins will still be feeling good, going 2-1-2 on the trip despite missing key players for the majority of this stretch. They now get consecutive days off for the first time post-Olympic break before returning to action this weekend with a back-to-back set against the Winnipeg Jets and yet another date with the Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon.
Pens Points…
Caught in their worst losing stretch of the season heading into Sunday night, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were desperate for a victory and thanks to Rutger McGroarty, the Baby Penguins snapped the losing skid with a 3-1 victory over Lehigh Valley and remain comfortably in a playoff bye position. [Pensburgh]
Tommy Novak has been a jack of all trades for the Penguins this season, moving up and down the lineup to fill in wherever he is needed. What allows him to do that is how malleable his game can be and when he’s playing in a top six role, his skill with the puck really stands out on the ice. [PPG]
NHL News and Notes…
Jack Hughes has spoken openly about his frustration towards the Hockey Hall of Fame for staking ownership to his gold medal winning puck from the Olympics. Despite his pleas to get it for himself, the Hockey Hall of Fame has no plans on surrendering the puck back to Hughes anytime soon. [ESPN]
Russis or No Russia? That is the biggest question surrounding the 2028 World Cup of Hockey which was a central focus of the ongoing GM meetings this week. No formal decision on Russian participation is imminent, but should the war in Ukraine still be ongoing, it’s unlikely Russia will be included. [Sportsnet]
Source: https://www.pensburgh.com/news/74233/pens-points-road-trip-wrapped
