One might think the Panthers would be on the prowl given they are the defending champs and having a solid season to this point. It was in fact the flightless fowl doing the prowling last night. The 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins have won four games in a row. I didn’t think this was on the table this year, but they’ve done it. The past four games have been very watchable for the most part and there have been a lot of goals scored both for and against. You really can’t ask for much more from this version of the team. I’m not putting any weight on the streak as far as the big picture goes, for me it is just a more palatable and enjoyable stretch of the season than what we’ve been getting.
The four consecutive victories have them sitting one point out of the wild card. It is a little deceptive because of the games played. Most all teams in the conference have played fewer games other than the Devils and Bruins.
There are some encouraging things happening at the moment even if the winning streak is a likely mirage. Owen Pickering is still up with the big club and doing a really nice job. It was Jack St. Ivany and not Pickering who was moved to WB/S and it was the correct decision. Pickering rewarded the team (and himself) by scoring his first career NHL goal.
Pickering is looking the part and he is being rewarded by getting a spot in the lineup in Pittsburgh and not WB/S. It helps his cause that the Penguins other option looks like this
To Mike Suliivan’s credit, he is in fact using a younger player in lieu of a veteran who hasn’t earned their ice time. I feel like this has been a common gripe about Sullivan. In this specific case it appears he is doing right by the younger guy.
Another bright spot has been one of the Dubas’ most recent acquisitions, Philip Tomasino. Through four games he has ~50 xGF% and has three points in four games. Last night he had a slick little passing play to open up Evgeni Malkin on a transition rush. Malkin made the most of his time and space and buried the game’s second goal
Tomasino has a long way to go to show this is the new norm for him, but his first sample as a Penguin has been positive to this point. A good low risk gamble and we’ll see what the payout is on it. These are the types of trades Dubas outlined as part of the process.
Bryan Rust is a player I would be looking to move and not because I don’t like him as a player. He scored the game winner in overtime last night. I don’t believe the Penguins are looking to move him, but where the team is in their restructuring process if it makes sense to move Rakell, then it makes sense to move Rust as well. Even though he has been one of the most pleasant surprises during this Penguins era. He’s been a great winger for both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and I’ve enjoyed watching him play. These are the types of tough decisions that are inevitable when you enter these types of phases as an organization.
I thought the 3v3 overtimes were going to be a weakness for the Penguins given their team speed. You don’t hear a lot about defensive play during the 3v3 sessions yet the Penguins have been really really good lately.
In their last 8 overtime periods, Pens have outshot their opponents, 15-3. They've won 4 of those, lost 2 in OT and lost 2 in SO.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Pens have not allowed a shot in 5 of their last 8 overtime periods, including tonight.
To illustrate how crazy that is, Pens had not allowed a shot in 5 of their previous 33 OT periods.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Who would have thought?
The Penguins will look to make it five(!) in a row against the New York Rangers at MSG on Friday.
Thanks for reading!
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