In the first game of their Alberta back-to-back, the Pittsburgh Penguins went into the Saddledome and handled the Calgary Flames by a score of 4-1 on Wednesday night. Goals from Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov put the Penguins in front 2-0, but a late second period tally by the Flames halved the deficit and set up what looked to be a tight third period of hockey. A month ago, the Penguins may have folded after giving up a momentum shifting goal, but the January Penguins responded with a pair of third period markers to lock down a second straight victory on this road trip. [Pensburgh]
There’s no rest for the weary with the Penguins right back in action tonight, making the short trip from Calgary to Edmonton to take on the Oilers in another late night affair. Puck drop is set for 9:00 PM and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.
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Pens Points…
Ben Kindel figured he was going to playing a lot of hockey in Calgary this season as a member of the Calgary Hitmen, his WHL side. Plans changed when he made the Penguins roster out of training camp, making this homecoming extra special for the rookie. [The Athletic $$]
Kyle Dubas put together a very successful offseason for the Penguins with multiple moves that have worked out very well. One of those moves was bringing in Anthony Mantha, a power forward coming off a major injury who turned into a key piece of the Penguins successes. [Trib Live]
While the outside additions this offseason were nice and have played a huge role in what the team has done this season, there is still little doubt to whom is main reason behind the Penguins success, it’s the captain Sidney Crosby who is putting together another age defying year. [Sports Illustrated]
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There is a potential big name that could be dealt in a trade and there is a chance the Penguins could take a big swing if he’s available. Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars are at an impasse in contract talks meaning he could be dealt for assets if no deal is reached. [The Hockey News]
If the Penguins can sustain this success and qualify for the playoffs, and perhaps even if they fall just shy, there will be a strong case in favor of Kyle Dubas being named the NHL’s General Manager of the Year for building this competitive of a roster in what was supposed to be a potentially ugly season. [The Hockey News]
Arturs Silvos has bounced back from a rocky stretch of play, but even with that, the Penguins have a clear No. 1 goaltender in Stuart Skinner at the moment and it’s time for the coaching staff to handle the goalie rotation as such moving forward. [The Hockey News]
NHL News and Notes…
Just two weeks out from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics and the United States was forced into an emergency roster change. Seth Jones will miss The Games with an upper body injury and is being replaced on the roster by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe. [NHL]
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Making the jump from the junior ranks to the collegiate game has not been the smoothest transition for top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna. Many are saying his draft stock has taken a bit of a hit this season, but perhaps his game is being diseceted a little too much from afar. [Daily Faceoff]
