PensBurgh - All PostsPittsburgh Penguins blog for the five time, five time, five time, FIVE TIME Stanley Cup Championshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29974/pensburgh_fave.png2024-03-18T08:04:00-04:00http://www.pensburgh.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T08:04:00-04:002024-03-18T08:04:00-04:00Michael Bunting brings much-needed element to Penguins
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<img alt="Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j0dx2hDLr8bB5wUNWkEx76x-SeI=/0x10:3000x2010/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214793/2084808504.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Pittsburgh Penguins have needed somebody like this. </p> <p id="ZdaBic">Starting with the obvious here, it stinks that the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> had to trade Jake Guentzel.</p>
<p id="0NOSfG">It stinks for a lot of reasons. It took away a core player that helped win a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a> and has been one of the best home-grown players to come through Pittsburgh in some time. It took away a wildly popular player that had a great connection with the city and the fans. Not having the “Jake Shake” graphic pop up on the scoreboard is a weird feeling. </p>
<p id="vg3oI1">It also signaled that the front office was pretty much giving up on this season and setting the stage for a second straight non-playoff season.</p>
<p id="0At8fa">I also have almost zero expectations for any of the prospects or the draft pick they received in return to pan out, simply because that is how these trade deadline deals typically work out.</p>
<p id="GGzOv4">But I will say this — I think there is a chance for Michael Bunting to be something, and he is quickly winning me over after some initial skepticism when the trade was made. </p>
<p id="KgkKSA">The thing that I like the most is that he brings an element to the forward group that has been severely lacking the past couple of years. He is a cage-rattler, he causes some chaos in front of the net, and he has already scored a couple of garbage goals that have been lacking. It is an element that has been gone ever since the departures of Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist, and it has taken a lot away from the Penguins’ offense.</p>
<p id="S4dKMP">The absence of that type of forward has, I think, been a huge contributing factor to the consistent gap between the Penguins’ expected goal numbers and their actual goal numbers. Both on the power play and during 5-on-5 play. They generally put themselves in good positions to score. They create chances. But they rarely have people in front of the net screening goalies. They do not have enough players collecting rebound goals. Kunitz and Hornqvist were masters at both, while also taking the abuse from opposing defenders that came with it.</p>
<p id="9MEPPq">Both players really transformed the roster and helped turn it into a Stanley Cup champion.</p>
<p id="5wCrnP">I do not expect Bunting to have that big of an impact. It is just not reasonable given where the organization is right now and how old the core is. It is a little bit of a different situation, obviously. I also am not sure he is as good as either player, because they were both outstanding across the board.</p>
<p id="ljgKmu">But I do think he can at least provide an element of that. That is going to help, in both the short-term this season as they try to stay in the playoff race, and also over the next couple of years when he is still under contract.</p>
<p id="Qe6YZO">Bunting made a name for himself in Toronto collecting garbage goals on Auston Matthews’ line, standing in front of the net and having Toronto’s more skilled forwards basically bank shots in off of him. </p>
<p id="vcCRks">There is a huge need for that here. </p>
<p id="sZjQ6A">As disappointing as the Guentzel trade was to make, if they can get a formidable top-six forward in return that fills a huge need and plays a style of game that they need, it is probably more value than most teams get for rentals. </p>
<p id="vaj1pI">At that point the draft pick and prospect returns are probably bonus. </p>
<p id="pTiscP">I have been frustrated with the job Kyle Dubas has done so far, and I initially was very “meh” on the Guentzel trade. But I can kind of see where they might get some serious value here, even if it only results in him being flipped in another trade a year or two from now. </p>
<p id="aqrtqo">It is still very early in his Penguins tenure, but I think the returns have been promising. </p>
<p id="eLGpv8">I like the way he plays. I like what he has brought. I like the potential for him to fill a big need.</p>
<p id="TqaFrU">He has already started to win me over and I want to see what else he can down the stretch. </p>
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https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/18/24104614/michael-bunting-brings-much-needed-element-to-penguinsGretz2024-03-18T06:00:00-04:002024-03-18T06:00:00-04:00Pens Points: Red Wing Romp
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<img alt="NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aaRinQcqRwqjxM3tAaNzwDMGvQg=/0x42:3960x2682/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214585/usa_today_22801989.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Catch up on the latest hockey headlines in today’s Pens Points.</p> <h3 id="yp8Wgd">Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning...</h3>
<p id="qqWLSB">The <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> played host to the Detroit Red Wings on St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, hoping to claw their way back into wild-card contention. After falling to the New York Rangers the day before, Pittsburgh earned a 6-3 victory over their 2008 and 2009 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a> rivals. [<a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/17/24098584/penguins-red-wings-recap-pittsburgh-gets-back-to-winning-ways-in-convincing-fashion">Recap</a>]</p>
<p id="uEcoBC">With Chad Ruhwedel recently traded to the New York Rangers, his return as a member of the visiting team on Saturday meant he would deservedly receive a moment of recognition for his years of service with the Penguins. Ruhwedel said he has ‘a lot of thanks to give to Pittsburgh.’ [<a href="https://triblive.com/sports/former-penguins-defensman-chad-ruhwedel-has-a-lot-of-thanks-to-give-to-pittsburgh/">Trib Live</a>]</p>
<p id="9wpwBf">A minor, blink-and-you-miss-it transaction was made over the weekend. The Penguins assigned defenseman Jack St. Ivany to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL team on Saturday night after he was recalled to the NHL roster under emergency conditions on Friday. [<a href="https://triblive.com/sports/penguins-assign-defenseman-jack-st-ivany-to-wilkes-barre-scranton/">Trib Live</a>]</p>
<h3 id="c3ktEq">News and notes from around the NHL...</h3>
<p id="3rcJb0">The 2024 trade deadline recently passed, but let’s all get excited about hypothetical trades that could happen by the 2025 deadline (including one trade involving a Penguin). [<a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10113232-way-too-early-predictions-for-the-2025-nhl-trade-deadline">Bleacher Report</a>]</p>
<p id="7jsnBG">Dmitry Kulikov will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday after an illegal check to the head against Conor Sheary on Saturday. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/dmitry-kulikov-to-have-player-safety-hearing-for-actions-in-florida-panthers-game">NHL</a>]</p>
<p id="DZ7USl">Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has taken an indefinite leave for family-related reasons. Assistant coach Trevor Letowski will run the team while St. Louis is away. [<a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39747839/canadiens-coach-martin-st-louis-takes-indefinite-leave">ESPN</a>]</p>
<p id="BgI39a">It looks like a pretty balanced and equally productive team down in Nashville. Three players from the Predators lead the league in points this season at their specific ages. [<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-have-most-nhl-scoring-leaders-by-age-this-season">The Hockey News</a>]</p>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/18/24104208/pens-points-red-wing-romp-penguins-ruhwedel-rangers-nhl-st-louis-canadiens-predatorsGarrett Behanna2024-03-17T20:48:52-04:002024-03-17T20:48:52-04:00Penguins/Red Wings Recap: Pittsburgh gets back to winning ways in convincing fashion
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<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sunday proved to be a good day for the Penguins, who earn a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings</p> <h3 id="Aoweho">Pregame</h3>
<p id="c0U9EJ">Same lines as yesterday and recent times for the Penguins, with Alex Nedeljkovic getting the nod on day two of the b-2-b.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coming up <a href="https://t.co/R5VteJw3ev">pic.twitter.com/R5VteJw3ev</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769478116152344604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="mNiEE2">The visiting Red Wings bring the following lineup for their second game in as many days as well.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">How we'll line up in Pittsburgh. ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/22bsJ1iWQo">pic.twitter.com/22bsJ1iWQo</a></p>— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1769481676474716511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="7bfVph">First period</h3>
<p id="ON8dHp">Pittsburgh is the better team early, getting off to a great start and having the puck for the majority of the time. It takes a fortunate bounce to cash in late on a power play. Marcus Pettersson throws a puck to the net that hits a Red Wing and then Reilly Smith before finally trickling over the goal line. 1-0.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The goal that got things started <a href="https://t.co/bxuxzJ82y5">pic.twitter.com/bxuxzJ82y5</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769495419485077860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="cF3PkB">Detroit shows some signs off life, David Perron shoulders Erik Karlsson off the puck with authority and the Pens seem to melt away from Lucas Raymond. He’s got time to pick his spot and doesn’t miss. 1-1.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lucas Raymond nets 21 on the year. <a href="https://t.co/3snzGIt4eP">pic.twitter.com/3snzGIt4eP</a></p>— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1769495366280392917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="a3LHyV">It would have been disappointing (but typical for this season) to play better for the most part of the game but not have a lead on the scoreboard, but the Pens got a boost from who else but Sidney Crosby to take back over. Really nice play to go skate-to-stick by Sid and break his 12 game goal drought with a quick backhand finish that developed almost out of no where.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">And with this goal, Sidney Crosby ties Wayne Gretzky for the seventh-most goals with a single franchise in <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL</a> history. <a href="https://t.co/uBn5V5t0Mn">pic.twitter.com/uBn5V5t0Mn</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769497147580285203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="MjND3o">The home team keeps building on it, the very next shift, Smith sets up Valtteri Puustinen from behind the net. Puustinen goes bar down for his fourth goal of the season (and second of the weekend). 3-1 Pens now, firmly in control after 20 minutes and where they deserve to be thanks to a pair of late goals.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goals in back-to-back games for Puustinen! <a href="https://t.co/TpqW6JPteI">pic.twitter.com/TpqW6JPteI</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769498280981856267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="KhEJoP">Shots are 15-4 PIT through 20 minutes, and it was as dominant as that sounds.</p>
<h3 id="0BrakS">Second period</h3>
<p id="u5svEv">Detroit wakes up and plays better in the second, no doubt challenged by their coaches to actually show up and put in an effort in this game today.</p>
<p id="EXi8eg">But it’s the Pens who score next. Puustinen gets the puck to the net and Michael Bunting is on the doorstep to make a lunging swat at knocking it in. 4-1.</p>
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<p lang="fi" dir="ltr">Malkin ➡️ Puustinen ➡️ Bunting ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/66GklntK8C">pic.twitter.com/66GklntK8C</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769504708509553069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="ijvnbW">The Red Wings get one back. Michael Rasmussen sets up Christian Fischer from behind the net. 4-2.</p>
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<p lang="qme" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://t.co/5eqvE7QvVS">pic.twitter.com/5eqvE7QvVS</a></p>— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitRedWings/status/1769509292120350933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="xbeogo">Rasmussen makes a dumb dumb play to cross-check Pettersson from behind after a whistle. Pens to a power play and they make Detroit pay. Crosby shot for Bryan Rust’s stick but Alex Lyon made a great save. A bit later in the sequence Crosby looked for the same play with Lars Eller, and this time it worked. 5-2.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A stELLER power-play goal <a href="https://t.co/dP2gUaMBpp">pic.twitter.com/dP2gUaMBpp</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769511191972303303?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="44PhI1">Another late in the period push helps keeps the Pens comfortably out in front and in control for the last 20.</p>
<h3 id="pHKIVT">Third period</h3>
<p id="snXwGY">It’s amazing that Pittsburgh doesn’t score the next goal. Evgeni Malkin and Drew O’Connor both get 10-bell chances and somehow Lyon stops them.</p>
<p id="K1TWPo">O’Connor takes a penalty with just over four minutes to play, Detroit pulls the goalie to make it a 6v4 advantage and all the extra players pay off. Raymond nets his second of the night. 5-3.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So nice, he did it twice! Lucas Raymond scores his second of the game, adding to his team-leading point total! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGRW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGRW</a> <a href="https://t.co/pMo2Hz8RW1">pic.twitter.com/pMo2Hz8RW1</a></p>— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsDET/status/1769521421959541172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="xy85HF">The Red Wings pull their goalie again, the Penguins miss chances at the empty net an unlimited amount of times. O’Connor is finally able to score and wrap the game up as a 6-3 Pittsburgh win.</p>
<h3 id="hu837H">Some thoughts</h3>
<ul>
<li id="7AZ9qI">This game looked like the good old days in that the Pens were the better team out there. That hasn’t been the case save a handful of games against the lower-tier teams in the league. Detroit played yesterday in Buffalo and had to travel (and have lost seven of their last eight) so it’s not like they’re in great form these days. That said, great performance by the Pens. They haven’t been good enough to consistently stack these type of games and it’s probably too late to make a difference now, but it’s worlds better than where they were only a few weeks ago.</li>
<li id="isi7yc">Another old fashioned game in the sense the Pens loaded up on Kris Letang (27+ minutes played) and for the first time in a while he had a quiet game without any major blunders. Pettersson and Karlsson were in the 22-23 minute range, and then Pittsburgh is trying to hide and minimize the others about as much as they can (Ludvig and Joseph in the 10-11 minute range, Graves at 17). Classic Penguin defensive deployment to run the wheels off Letang and if he holds up, things will probably be OK. He held up on this day better than most in the recent past.</li>
<li id="v24jme">At this rate it won’t be the Red Wings going to the playoffs. It’s just one game but they were not impressive and don’t have any momentum. Unfortunately though, Pittsburgh is still five points back. And there’s a mess of other teams involved.</li>
<li id="ZH3ArH">Each line was growing and building off the other. Especially players like Smith and Puustinen who scored goals and then built off that to create great primary assists shortly after. Those two (plus Eller) out-shot DET 10-2 while on the ice together and stood out as a great performance.</li>
<li id="P5VcXC">Crosby had the rare and odd stretch in the last 10-12 games where it stood out that he wasn’t standing out at all and looking so ordinary and quiet. Looks like he’s starting to shake out of that, the subtle details like going skate to stick on his goal or surveying the scene to score off a teammate’s stick — that’s when you know he’s really going. He’s dialed in like that.</li>
</ul>
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<p id="2RhECb">The Pens bounce back after yesterday’s loss to the Rangers. They head out on the road for the next three, starting in New Jersey on Tuesday as the season enters its final month and home stretch.</p>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/17/24098584/penguins-red-wings-recap-pittsburgh-gets-back-to-winning-ways-in-convincing-fashionHooks Orpik2024-03-17T17:30:00-04:002024-03-17T17:30:00-04:00Gamethread: Red Wings @ Penguins
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<img alt="Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e21QoMnzfXRUJ1BvdyOZo4zLmYo=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213693/1454271436.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="gZKTc9">Talk about the game with Pens fans here!</p>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/17/24093310/gamethread-red-wings-penguinsHooks Orpik2024-03-17T06:00:00-04:002024-03-17T06:00:00-04:00Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins 3/17/2024 - Lines, how to watch
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<img alt="Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qYZFiQ_KqljdtWLTbCJkPjEo6vs=/0x563:2452x2198/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212806/1454271482.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lookin for the luck of the Irish</p> <p id="dYnR4t"><strong>Who:</strong> <strong>Detroit Red Wings </strong>(34-27-6, 74 points, 5th place Atlantic Division) @ <strong>Pittsburgh Penguins</strong> (29-28-9, 67 points, 7th place Metropolitan Division)</p>
<p id="dZ9YEk"><strong>When</strong>: 6 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="Pb4Rqr"><strong>How to Watch</strong>: Sportsnet Pittsburgh and Bally Sports Detroit in the local markets, NHL Network for the rest</p>
<p id="jSXdXx"><strong>Pens’ Path Ahead</strong>: The Pens head to New Jersey for a Tuesday night game, then get their first instance of two consecutive days without games since Feb 23-24. The road trip continues next Friday in Dallas and then ends in Colorado a week from today.</p>
<p id="Vc0svc"><strong>Opponent Track</strong>: The Red Wings are probably the most volatile team in the NHL right now. They were unstoppable coming out of the All-Star break, going 7-2-0 that included a six-game winning streak. Vibes were through the roof when they smacked down the Capitals by an 8-3 final score on February 27th. Then the roller coaster went down and they lost seven straight games going into yesterday’s game against Buffalo. They’ve been booed off the ice at home and had teammates fighting in practice as times have gotten tough.</p>
<p id="3in6JA"><strong>Season Series:</strong> Detroit took the first game 6-3 way back in mid-October and the two teams haven’t seen each other since. They play again on April 11th near the end of the season to close out the three-game series.</p>
<h3 id="VLJCBJ">Getting to know the Red Wings</h3>
<p id="rGlkVK"><strong>Projected lines (from practice on Friday)</strong></p>
<p id="3RP6pw"><em><strong>FORWARDS</strong></em></p>
<p id="8wEn7L">Alex DeBrincat - J.T. Compher - Patrick Kane </p>
<p id="vBx5Nu">David Perron - Joe Veleno - Lucas Raymond </p>
<p id="G8Q5u6">Michael Rasmussen - Andrew Copp - Christian Fischer </p>
<p id="Og1fvL">Robby Fabbri - Austin Czarnik - Daniel Sprong </p>
<p id="SvnRof"><em><strong>DEFENSEMEN</strong></em></p>
<p id="V0MTKq">Shayne Gostisbehere / Moritz Seider </p>
<p id="23SuCU">Ben Chiarot / Jeff Petry </p>
<p id="3cuIbD">Olli Maatta / Justin Holl </p>
<p id="SIgU36"><strong>Goalies: </strong>Alex Lyon, Ville Husso (James Reimer started yesterday)</p>
<p id="GTe4Jn"><strong>Possible scratches: </strong>Jake Wallman, Jonatan Berggren, Dylan Larkin</p>
<p id="sLdSCX"><strong>IR:</strong> none</p>
<p id="B9mVzb">—Sounds like Larkin is out with an injury through today, which is a break for the Pens to not see Detroit’s leading scorer.</p>
<p id="TIWxH2">—Wallman and Sprong are each dealing with minor injuries, it’s possible Wallman could be back for today.</p>
<h3 id="pkHbSa">Player stats</h3>
<p id="hleeBo">(via <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000342024.html"><strong>hockeydb</strong></a>, not including yesterday’s game)</p>
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<p id="I3ZClq">—Patrick Kane is something more of a hockey player and into a medical marvel at this point. He had the hip surgery that quickly ended the careers of players like Ryan Kesler, Ed Jovanovski and Nicklas Backstrom. Kane (plus medical technology) has raised the bar and is showing that the hip resurfacing isn’t the automatic career ender that is once was under the right circumstances.</p>
<p id="WUY3jU">—Daniel Sprong is having one of the more interesting career paths in recent memory. The Red Wings mark his fourth different team in the last five seasons. He’s good at scoring, bad at finding a niche anywhere — he’s only played in the 11-13 minute range on lower lines at every stop of the way. He’s productive, but still never found a comfortable fit with any coach or team he’s been at. </p>
<h3 id="AR6x95">And now for the Penguins</h3>
<p id="Vs88Ld"><strong>Projected lines </strong></p>
<p id="uxgiAM"><em><strong>FORWARDS</strong></em></p>
<p id="vOTvy1">Drew O’Connor - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust</p>
<p id="tNYB2A">Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin - Rickard Rakell</p>
<p id="KRPEpa">Reilly Smith - Lars Eller - Valtteri Puustinen</p>
<p id="2acrLh">Emil Bemstrom - Noel Acciari - Jeff Carter</p>
<p id="eHI33m"><em><strong>DEFENSEMEN</strong></em></p>
<p id="c7vDEH">Marcus Pettersson / Kris Letang</p>
<p id="ztAdla">Ryan Graves / Erik Karlsson</p>
<p id="BKyzJa">John Ludvig / P.O. Joseph </p>
<p id="oyjexP"><strong>Goalies: </strong>Alex Nedeljkovic (Tristan Jarry started yesterday)</p>
<p id="2Ay3dd"><strong>Potential Scratches:</strong> Jesse Puljujarvi, John St. Ivany</p>
<p id="a0305T"><strong>IR</strong>: Matt Nieto (knee surgery), Jansen Harkins (hand injury)</p>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/17/24103003/game-preview-detroit-red-wings-pittsburgh-penguins-3-17-2024-lines-how-to-watchHooks Orpik2024-03-16T18:19:35-04:002024-03-16T18:19:35-04:00Penguins/Rangers Highlights: Panarin’s five points push NYR past Pens
<figure>
<img alt="New York Rangers v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U8_DLSxf-NqdEqJxXuGAIdIciSc=/38x0:2963x1950/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212306/2082120525.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Pittsburgh’s dwindling playoff hopes faces the Rangers </p> <p id="SF5OtZ">The Penguins scored first, but the Rangers scored often in a 7-4 win in Pittsburgh. Let’s check out the highlights!</p>
<div id="muz5fg"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/umDwctURs0k?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/16/24103409/penguins-rangers-highlights-panarins-five-points-push-nyr-past-pensHooks Orpik2024-03-16T14:30:00-04:002024-03-16T14:30:00-04:00Gamethread: Rangers @ Penguins
<figure>
<img alt="New York Rangers v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/noK3MDNILkuhFepIadyCAJ9jJ7Q=/169x0:2832x1775/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212011/1823376069.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hockey afternoon in Pittsburgh!</p> <p id="LlGzEQ">Talk about the game with Pens fans here!</p>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/16/24093309/gamethread-rangers-penguinsHooks Orpik2024-03-16T06:00:00-04:002024-03-16T06:00:00-04:00Game Preview: New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins 3/16/2024 - Lines, how to watch
<figure>
<img alt="New York Rangers v Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4ie1mmwAuPcV4Q0qzDLdRm987oE=/154x0:2847x1795/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211243/1823375519.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Pens look to ride a win over the last-place Sharks into a contest with the division-leading Rangers.</p> <p id="dYnR4t"><strong>Who:</strong> <strong>New York Rangers </strong>(43-19-4, 90 points, 1st place Metropolitan Division) @ <strong>Pittsburgh Penguins</strong> (29-27-9, 67 points, 7th place Metropolitan Division) </p>
<p id="dZ9YEk"><strong>When</strong>: 3 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="Pb4Rqr"><strong>How to Watch</strong>: National broadcast on ABC and ESPN+</p>
<p id="jSXdXx"><strong>Pens’ Path Ahead</strong>: The Penguins are back tomorrow for a St. Patrick’s Day home game against the Detroit Red Wings. Next week is (finally) a relatively slow one for the Pens, with only three games in seven days and no back-to backs for this first time this month.</p>
<p id="Vc0svc"><strong>Opponent Track</strong>: The Rangers may be coming out of a 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road Thursday, but that’s rare for this Metropolitan powerhouse. It marked just the third time the Rangers have lost in regulation since January 26 (and their fourth loss overall over that span.)</p>
<p id="3in6JA"><strong>Season Series:</strong> The Pens were shut out 1-0 by the Rangers back on Nov. 22, and the two teams are set to meet again for on April Fool’s Day.</p>
<p id="OwakBy"><strong>Hidden Stat:</strong> The Penguins, who have lost seven of their last nine games, aren’t out of the playoff race yet. The Pens head into Saturday five points back of the last Wild Card spot in the East. <a href="https://x.com/MoneyPuckdotcom/status/1768669182344786135?s=20">MoneyPuck</a> gives the team a 9.1% chance of making the first round. Down but not out, somehow.</p>
<blockquote><p id="Mu4tFM">“I believe it’s not insurmountable. I believe we have what it takes to continue to push and give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs.” —Penguins head coach <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/rangers-penguins-pushing-for-every-possible-point/">Mike Sullivan</a></p></blockquote>
<h3 id="d5Epdd">Getting to know the Rangers</h3>
<p id="rGlkVK"><strong>Projected lines</strong></p>
<p id="3RP6pw"><em><strong>FORWARDS</strong></em></p>
<p id="14CeTx">Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafrenière</p>
<p id="XBAhrh">Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Jack Roslovic</p>
<p id="S495dA">Will Cuylie - Alexander Wennberg - Kaapo Kakko</p>
<p id="7gfDrG">Jimmy Vesey - Barclay Goodrow - Jonny Brodzinski</p>
<p id="8wEn7L"><em><strong>DEFENSEMEN</strong></em></p>
<p id="YoPgd0">Ryan Lindgren / Adam Fox</p>
<p id="yLdWEP">K’Andre Miller / Braden Schneider</p>
<p id="V0MTKq">Zachary Jones / Erik Gustafsson</p>
<p id="SIgU36"><strong>Goalies: </strong>Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick</p>
<p id="GTe4Jn"><strong>Possible scratches: </strong>Chad Ruhwedel, Jacob Trouba</p>
<p id="sLdSCX"><strong>IR:</strong> Blake Wheeler, Filip Chytil</p>
<p id="GdEnr9"><strong>Suspended: </strong>Matt Rempe</p>
<ul>
<li id="z5Ldxe">The Rangers’ trade deadline acquisitions of Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg are slotting in well on the team’s second and third lines so far. Roslovic scored his first goal for the Blueshirts during Thursday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. </li>
<li id="B9mVzb">Former Penguin Chad Ruhwedel has yet to make his Rangers debut.</li>
</ul>
<div id="BbHfdL">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crosby on his former teammate, Chad Ruhwedel: “He had a great attitude every day. Was in a lot of different situations and handled them all really well. Whether he was out of the lineup for a bit or came back in and was relied on to play bigger minutes than usual – he always… <a href="https://t.co/mSCc2ysj94">pic.twitter.com/mSCc2ysj94</a></p>— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1768709041277051017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="S4DdRq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I told Bryan Rust that I wanted to ask about Chad Ruhwedel, with the defenseman down the hall with the Rangers. The conversation got sidetracked and I went to get another guy before he left, but Rusty called me back because he wanted to say nice things about his good buddy <a href="https://t.co/VwNW8nMfep">pic.twitter.com/VwNW8nMfep</a></p>— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/PensInsideScoop/status/1768717407382548536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<ul><li id="Jz04eJ">Rookie forward Matt Rempe, who has 10 NHL games and 54 penalty minutes under his belt, will serve the third of a <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/rangers-rempe-suspended-four-games-for-elbowing-devils-siegenthaler">four-game suspension</a> for elbowing tonight.</li></ul>
<h3 id="pkHbSa">Player stats</h3>
<p id="hleeBo">(via <a href="https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000482024.html"><strong>hockeydb</strong></a>)</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VBcPXO8qYoWBzULd08nB9lvZJqU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25337894/Screenshot_2024_03_15_at_12.12.10_PM.png">
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bSRLkvs8u6y0kX-35geCrAZKgS4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25337896/Screenshot_2024_03_15_at_12.12.15_PM.png">
</figure>
<ul><li id="gUKf4y">Don’t be fooled by the six goals allowed by the Rangers’ defensive lapses Thursday. Igor Shesterkin will be a problem for the Penguins. </li></ul>
<div id="vmsDKG">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="eu" dir="ltr">Igor. Shesterkin. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/jbsuBlwO9A">pic.twitter.com/jbsuBlwO9A</a></p>— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers/status/1767737451986997528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="YyWjVe">Heading into the loss against the Lightning, Shesterkin was 9-1-1 in his previous 11 starts, including three shutouts and a .951 SV%. He earned his second shutout in a row Tuesday as he held Jake Guentzel and the second-place Carolina Hurricanes to just one goal against.</p>
<div id="8RsRRp">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Igor Shesterkin has been locked in since the All-Star break. <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYRangers</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a> <a href="https://t.co/29flZeFCTk">pic.twitter.com/29flZeFCTk</a></p>— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLNetwork/status/1768321195743838300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<ul><li id="BKUK5j">While the Penguins are still hoping to sneak into the bottom of the playoff picture, the Rangers have a different goal in mind as they try to stave off the Hurricanes (four points behind, heading into Friday) and secure a first-place division playoff berth.</li></ul>
<h3 id="AR6x95">And now for the Penguins</h3>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KhNbvE20ArwLIZv4wRTl4E9teSw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25338803/cgvxoqpnmlrlemypzifk.jpg">
</figure>
<p id="Vs88Ld"><strong>Projected lines </strong></p>
<p id="uxgiAM"><em><strong>FORWARDS</strong></em></p>
<p id="vOTvy1">Michael Bunting - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust</p>
<p id="tNYB2A">Reilly Smith - Evgeni Malkin - Drew O’Connor </p>
<p id="KRPEpa">Rickard Rakell - Lars Eller - Valtteri Puustinen</p>
<p id="2acrLh">Emil Bemstrom - Noel Acciari - Jeff Carter</p>
<p id="eHI33m"><em><strong>DEFENSEMEN</strong></em></p>
<p id="c7vDEH">P.O. Joseph / Kris Letang</p>
<p id="ztAdla">Marcus Pettersson / Erik Karlsson</p>
<p id="BKyzJa">Ryan Graves / John Ludvig</p>
<p id="oyjexP"><strong>Goalies: </strong>Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic</p>
<p id="2Ay3dd"><strong>Potential Scratches:</strong> Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan Shea</p>
<p id="a0305T"><strong>IR</strong>: Matt Nieto (knee surgery), Jansen Harkins (hand injury)</p>
<ul><li id="v61Zf5">Jack St. Ivany, recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday, was present at yesterday’s practice. The 2018 fourth-round pick by the Flyers has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 52 games through his second AHL season so far.</li></ul>
<div id="a8wbEW">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Sullivan said Jack St. Ivany got the recall because he's a right-handed defenseman, which they don't have many of. "The other aspect is that he's played extremely well. He's been very good on the penalty kill. He's a solid defending defenseman. Fairly mobile, good size."</p>— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/PensInsideScoop/status/1768692591602680285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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</div>
<div id="RGhUDR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jack St. Ivany is wearing No. 3<br>He’s got big Jack Johnson sized shoes to fill <a href="https://t.co/S3ywbvqUPv">pic.twitter.com/S3ywbvqUPv</a></p>— Nick Horwat (@NickHorwat41) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickHorwat41/status/1768665077123551249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
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<ul>
<li id="bDY7tN">Friday’s practice focused on power play work, per <a href="https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/team/penguins/feed/page/1">Taylor Haase</a> of DK Pittsburgh Sports. The Penguins fit Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Michael Bunting and Lars Eller on PP1, while Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, Evgeni Malkin, Reilly Smith, Jeff Carter worked together on PP2.</li>
<li id="0FAHAM">Sidney Crosby has 38 goals and 66 assists (104 points) in 83 career games against the Rangers, per Pens PR. The only teams Crosby’s put up more career points against are the New York Islanders (132 points) and Philadelphia Flyers (129 points.)</li>
</ul>
https://www.pensburgh.com/2024/3/16/24101937/game-preview-new-york-rangers-pittsburgh-penguins-3-16-2024-lines-how-to-watchJulia Stumbaugh