Penguins Wrap: Crosby Ends Drought; Pettersson Out; Look Who’s Back

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to still be evolving as the NHL’s Christmas break approaches. In a good way. The team seemed to be learning how to win in different ways as they stretched their current run to 8-2-1 in their past 11 games.

They did that primarily without goals from team captain Sidney Crosby, whose goal drought reached 10 games before he broke out of it — perhaps with an off-ice assist from a PHN writer. Even without Crosby scoring, he continued to pile up the assists, and he and his mates on the top line were on fire.

The downside was an injury to their steadiest defenseman, Marcus Pettersson, who will be out for some time. In response to that, the Penguins swung a trade, bringing back a familiar face to help on the blue line.

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Saturday: In one of many signs that the Penguins have depth in their organization, a prospect and a former prospect were announced as part of Team Canada’s roster for the World Juniors.

Earlier in the season, the Penguins might have folded in a game like the one they played in Ottawa. Not this time. They fought back and got themselves a point in an overtime loss against the Senators.

Yes, they got a point, but the Penguins also came home from Ottawa with a concern. Their steadiest defenseman left the game after being hit into the boards by Drake Batherson, and the team was holding its breath to see about Marcus Pettersson.

After the overtime loss, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said any point earned in the standings was a good point. However, they were questioning the manner in which Ottawa scored a go-ahead goal. Particularly vocal about it was goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Sunday: With the team holding its breath on Pettersson, PHN took a look at right-side defenseman who might be available via trade.

Or, if a trade wasn’t feasible or forthcoming to help fill the gap while Pettersson is out, PHN took a look at some internal options.

Monday: Speaking of defenseman, one who stood as a strong example of a Penguins successful reclamation project and who helped the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups retired. Remembering Justin Schultz.

After a day off from practice Sunday, the Penguins hit the practice rink on Monday. Pettersson was not on the ice, and the Penguins showed some reconfigured defensive pairs.

And then the boom got lowered. After practice, coach Mike Sullivan delivered an update on Pettersson. He has a lower-body injury that will sideline him on a week-to-week basis.

Tuesday: With Pettersson out, the Penguins decided to call up a defenseman from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL for some depth, Nate Clurman.

Clurman did not dress for a game against the Los Angeles Kings, but the Penguins came to play. Against an extremely stingy defensive team, they got three goals to reach .500 in an overtime win.

The Penguins cited discipline. Something went really right in their OT win. They not only squeaked out enough offense to win, but they played a structurally sound defensive game. Read about it in the Penguins report card.

They not only reached .500, but the Penguins got to within sniffing distance of a wildcard playoff spot after winning for the seventh time in 10 games. Perhaps more important, they said they were starting to believe.

Wednesday: Back to the upcoming World Junior Championships. As rosters were finalized, the Penguins learned that one Canadian –someone who PHN has really liked since he was drafted — and two Finns were chosen. That gave them three prospects to watch.

The Penguins picked up forwards Phil Tomasino and Cody Glass in what seemed to be highly favorable trade returns. Now the two would be getting a chance to face Nashville, the team that gave up on them so easily.

Neither was getting great reviews early in the season, and the noise coming from fans and social media was not exactly kind. However, a new defensive pairing seemed to be working with Matt Grzelcyk and Erik Karlsson.

Thursday: It turns out Clurman was just a temporary depth fix. The Penguins needed someone a little more proven — and familiar — to help fill in while Pettersson is out. They gave up only future considerations to bring back defenseman P.O Joseph.

The Penguins did not like seeing Joseph sign with St. Louis last summer and were happy to be able to get him back. Get the full trade analysis and the explanation from Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was sitting on a 10-game goal drought but was still racking up assists and good scoring chances. Add that to his funny take on being asked about the drought by PHN’s Dave Molinari, and it was clear Crosby felt like he was close to busting out.

The Penguins’ top line was scorching. That included — you guessed it — a goal from Crosby as the team took down the Nashville Predators in overtime.

There were injuries and losses and a sullen locker room too often early in the season. The tide seems to be turning, for the better. Now they are learning how to win in different ways and showing resilience. It’s all in the Penguins report card.

Even though they didn’t play with the staunch defensive structure they displayed against LA, the Penguins felt as though they were taking away important lessons. And there were a lot of smiles. PHN took the pulse of the postgame locker room.

Friday: Are you surprised that the Penguins have been able to sustain some winning ways? And just how good — or mediocre — is the Eastern Conference. PHN’s Dan Kingerski tackled that and more in a Penguins Q&A.

Remember goaltender Matt Murray? How could you forget after he helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups? Well, he’s had kind of a rough road in recent years, but finally there was a heartwarming return.