Can Penguins’ New Fourth Line Put Forth Two-Way Help?

The makeup of the fourth line isn’t always a big point of curiosity for most NHL teams, and the Pittsburgh Penguins had to adjust theirs after a preseason injury. Through four games, however, the three guys manning that unit have started to look cohesive – and at least a little productive.

Kevin Hayes on the left side, Cody Glass in the middle and Noel Acciari on the right wing have seemed to capture what the Penguins have been striving for – a fourth line that is responsible defensively but can provide some secondary scoring so the star players don’t have to shoulder such a big load.

Being able to roll four lines has been a “thing” for the top teams in recent years in the NHL, but the Penguins were not getting much if any offensive punch from the fourth line.

President of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas made a pronounced effort to bring in several bottom-six forward candidates during the offseason to give coach Mike Sullivan some options, and to try to give the team an upgrade.

It appeared that Blake Lizotte had earned a spot on the fourth line, but he has been out for more than two weeks because of a concussion, with no timetable for his return.

The group that in the meantime has started to come together has combined for four points, including two goals, and 12 shots. Both goals have come from Hayes, who potted the eventual game-winner Monday in the Penguins’ 6-3 win in Montreal.

“I think we’re starting to kind of figure out the kind of players we are,” said Acciari, the only one of the three who was with the Penguins last season. “I think we have a good mix on that line, kind of everyone brings something different to the table.”

Cody Glass

Glass, the youngster at 25, was acquired from Nashville during the offseason in a trade that also included draft picks.

He had what looked to be a breakout season in 2022-23 with the Predators, when he logged 14 goals, 35 points. He then missed half of last season because of injury.

Now Glass, a first-round draft pick by Vegas in 2017, is going through something many hot-shot junior players face when they reach the NHL – he’s accepting the reality that he’s not likely to contend for an Art Ross Trophy, and so has to adapt to a more well-rounded game.

“We’re playing a defensive role – (defensive) zone faceoffs, all that kind of stuff,” he said of the Penguins’ fourth line. “So it’s a little bit of a change for me, but it’s something that you’ve got to embrace. I’ve enjoyed it so far. Trying to take advantage of every opportunity.

“It’s not that bad, honestly, especially because I know my role. When I was younger I didn’t know who I was at the time. I came out of junior scoring a ton, and then you join a really good team and you play a different role. You’re kind of in between — what do I do, kind of thing. Now that I know what they want and where I’m playing and what the team needs, it’s a little bit easier to focus on those things.”

Besides, he already brought some aspects of being a good fourth-liner.

“I’ve always been pretty good defensively, 200-foot game, use my skating, backchecking, all that kind of stuff,” Glass said. “It works out if they want to put me in that kind of position. You’ve just got to make the most of it and try to do your best because that gets you more ice time.”

Kevin Hayes

Hayes, 32, was acquired over the summer in a trade from St. Louis for future considerations in something of a salary dump after he didn’t jibe with the Blues. He has hit double figures in goals in each of his previous 10 seasons, topping 20 twice, and has hit 40 points six times, 50 once.

He not only has both goals produced by the fourth line, but he also has won 13 of 18 faceoffs.

At this point, he has accepted a slightly different role with the Penguins and is game to help make the fourth line relevant.

“I think our line kind of jells well together,” Hayes said. “I feel like we’re not going to give up a lot, and trying to chip in as much as we can.

“We have to find chemistry early. That’s probably the hardest part coming to new teams. When you find a line you can build chemistry with, you feel good about yourself, you feel good about your game, you feel good about your line. Everything else is kind of easy after that.

“We’ve done a pretty good job. There’s definitely more there. But I feel like we’re not giving up a lot, which is kind of the fourth line (identity).”

Although the three have never played together in the NHL, Hayes and Acciari grew up playing together, including for the South Shore Kings, a Tier III junior team in Massachusetts. “He used to stay at my house a ton a long time ago,” Hayes said.

Noel Acciari

Acciari, 32 and in his second season with the Penguins, moved from center to the wing because of the way the roster is constructed.

“I think our line is unique in the sense that we can do a little of everything,” Acciari said.

“We’re going to be put in the (defensive) zone a lot. We want to make sure we’re good defensively. Be put out there (for defensive) zone draws, win those faceoffs, get out of there, get down to the other end and get an offensive draw – let (top centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin) and those guys come out.”

While still forechecking and helping out on offense.

“You’ve got someone like me who can chip it in and go get the puck and kind of start it out,” Acciari said.

PHN’s Dan Kingerski contributed to this story.