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Penguins prospects proficiently picking up points |
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One of the more intriguing developments of the final stretch of the season will be seeing how both Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen handle their promotion to the NHL. Last night, we got a good look at what that can potentially look like.
Both players were able to earn their first career NHL point in Pittsburgh’s 5-4 overtime loss in St. Louis. The decision to promote both players was a wise one and getting them these moments to carry with them in the offseason is a really good thing.
McGroarty’s first assist was pretty simple on his end. Get the puck down low to Bryan Rust and watch him do his thing attacking the net
Bryan Rust takes McGroarty's pass to the net and tallies after a beautiful move, putting Pittsburgh up 1-0!
#LetsGoPens
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— Hockey Daily 365 - NHL Highlights & News 🏒 (@hockeydaily365.bsky.social) April 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Nothing fancy just making sure the puck gets to where it should. When you are playing with seasoned NHL veterans who can make things happen sometimes that’s all you need to do.
In the closing moments of regulation Koivunen teamed up with McGroarty which saw Koivunen earn his first ever point while McGroarty scored his first ever NHL goal.
RUTGER MCGROARTY‼️
His first in the NHL ties this game up late!
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— NHL (Bot) (@notnhl.bsky.social) April 3, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I really like giving both of these players the opportunity to do try and make something happen late in the game. There aren’t any negative consequences if they can’t manage a goal in the situation. By giving them this chance and having them succeed both players get a supercharged feeling of self-worth and confidence. McGroarty was taking it on the chin earlier this year when he was sent down to AHL. It took a little time for him to get going but he has been really good in WB/S and he has earned this promotion/moment.
In the two games since the call up McGroarty has an xGF% of 61.67 and Koivunen is at 53.04%. McGroarty has had the opportunity to play with both Crosby and Rust while Koivunen has been playing with Rickard Rakell as a center and Connor Dewar on the wing. When Evgeni Malkin comes back I wouldn’t mind toying with the idea of Rakell staying at center and having Evgeni Malkin play the left wing with Koivunen flanking them on the right side. I think Rakell has done a decent job in the middle. It remains to be seen if Rakell will be with the team past the NHL draft. Either way, I think showing that he can play center can only improve his perceived trade value and if he does stay then it gives the Penguins some more roster flexibility in how they build and shape things moving forward. I think it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to take some of the burden off of Malkin’s plate and give him a more simplistic role which allows him to pick spots better.
We will get to see how McGroarty and Koivunen follow up their performance from last night when they face the Dallas Stars for a 3PM game tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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