Penguins Wrap: Lose Key Game, Top Winger & Maybe Some Hope

The Pittsburgh Penguins were surging toward serious contention for a playoff berth as the final days of February ticked off.

Things changed, at least temporarily, when the calendar did.

Early in the morning of March 1 — in the East, anyway — their three-game winning streak was snapped by a 2-0 defeat in Seattle, as Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer made 33 saves to earn his first shutout of the season.

Here’s a look at what could prove to be a pivotal, and possibly decisive, week for the Penguins:

Saturday

Newly acquired winger Emil Bemstrom will have an opportunity to give the Penguins’ offense a badly needed boost.

A Canadian TV report says other clubs have expressed interest in acquiring Jake Guentzel and one of the Penguins’ goaltenders.

With the Penguins’ season entering a pivotal stretch, it’s time for unproductive players to lose their spots in the lineup.

Jaromir Jagr’s image has been restored to the Ring of Honor in the Penguins’ locker room at PPG Paints Arena and UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Jake Guentzel will accompany the Penguins on their western road trip.

Sunday

The Penguins regain control of their playoff fate with a 7-6 victory over Philadelphia at PPG Paints Arena.

Penguins winger Jansen Harkins delivers a crushing hit to Philadelphia defenseman Jamie Drysdale.

The Penguins did a lot of things right — and more than a few things wrong — in their win over the Flyers.

Mike Sullivan confirms that Bryan Rust left the game with an unspecified upper-body injury that is being evaluated.

Monday

Jake Guentzel, who must remain on the Long-Term Injured list until at least March 10, has joined the Penguins on their western road trip and has an on-ice workout.

There is one guaranteed way for the Penguins to get into the playoffs.

Bryan Rust, who was injured in the Flyers game, doesn’t not accompany the Penguins’ on their four-game road trip.

Tuesday

Erik Karlsson’s overtime goal gives the Pittsburgh Penguins’ a dramatic 4-3 victory in Vancouver.

Mike Sullivan says first-line right winger Bryan Rust is “week to week.”

Does the Penguins’ roster deserve to remain intact as the trade deadline approaches? They’ve entered a stretch that will provide the answer.

A report out of Canada says teams have inquired about the availability of goalies Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist.

Wednesday

Drew O’Connor and Valtteri Puustinen were particularly effective when the Penguins beat the Canucks.

There were plenty of smiles in the Penguins’ locker room after their victory in Vancouver.

Tristan Jarry should be given a heavy workload while the Penguins are chasing a playoff berth, to get insight on whether he can be a high-stakes goalie. (+)

The Penguins are giving legitimate reasons to think they might qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Here are the latest Eastern Conference power rankings.

Thursday

The Penguins’ winning streak ends in a 2-0 loss in Seattle.

Evgeni Malkin’s linemates, Drew O’Connor and Valtteri Puustinen, have helped to lift Malkin’s game. (+)

The Pittsburgh Penguins place Bryan Rust on injured-reserve and recall forward Jonathan Gruden from Wilkes-Barre.

The Penguins’ asking price for Jake Guentzel in trade talks reportedly is ‘sky-high.”

Friday

Reilly Smith vigorously denies rampant speculation that he’s unhappy in Pittsburgh.

A lot that gets attention during the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline is really just standard operating procedure for teams and their executives and scouts.

The Penguins’ loss to the Kraken can be traced to their inability to penetrate Seattle’s tightly packed defense.

Mike Sullivan explains why he shook up his forward combinations several times during the Seattle game.

A radio report in Toronto suggests there is more widespread interest in acquiring Reilly Smith than there is in trading for Jake Guentzel.