Penguins Wrap: Big Win; Injury Ins and Outs; Quarter-Century Picks

The first full week of 2025 saw the Pittsburgh Penguins have mixed results, but that included an impressive win over one of the fastest, most prolific teams. That was part of an ongoing five-game homestand, and perhaps it offered a good blueprint.

With forward Phil Tomasino already out, Evgeni Malkin was a surprise scratch with a surprise injury. Defenseman Kris Letang made his way back from injury. Malkin’s fellow star center, team captain Sidney Crosby, continued to hit milestones. Winger Rickard Rakell stayed red hot.

A look at the trade market would seem to show a match between the Penguins and several other teams at one particular position.

Off the ice, forward Blake Lizotte’s thoughts turned to the plight of thousands affected by a disaster in the city where he spent the bulk of his career. And the NHL announced the Penguins’ quarter-century team with the expectation of sparking debate.

Catch up on the past week. Click on the links.

Saturday: Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers took some liberties with Penguins forward Drew O’Connor the previous night, as in something close to a sucker punch. The NHL noticed. Bennett got fined.

There was mixed injury news on forward Phil Tomasino and defenseman Kris Letang. The fourth line has helped stem a lot of the Penguins’ defensive problems. Lots of interesting stuff in the practice report.

Sunday: Forward Phil Tomasino has seemed to be a good fit and strong addition since he was acquired from Nashville in November. However, there was news that he could be out for a while in this injury update.

An early lead went sour in Carolina, but then came a comeback that forced overtime. Alas, for the second game in a row, going beyond regulation time did not work out in the Penguins’ favor as they fell to the Hurricanes.

The comeback and earning a point did not mean the Penguins were happy with their game. In particular, coach Mike Sullivan was seething. See how things sorted out in the Penguins grades.

We at PHN are finding that you like our occasional “one simple question” surveys of the locker room. The latest asks the players about what this season has been one huge difference.

Monday: Team defense has been a problem in a lot of games for the Penguins. But coming off a three-game road trip, offense was the elusive factor. From prospects to a trade, take a look at four options that might help in this Penguins blog.

Is Sidney Crosby now an ironman? Marcus Pettersson’s people and the Penguins have not talked despite his facing restricted free agency. Many project him to be traded. But why not at least have an ice-breaking conversation? Plus, will attendance pick up? It’s all in the Penguins notebook.

Tuesday: On paper anyway, the Penguins would seem to have a glut of goaltending depth, while there are teams who are looking to upgrade or stabilize their goaltending. So, does that mean there is a match out there on the trade market?

Word came late, and it was a surprise. Evgeni Malkin did not take warmups and was unexpectedly scratched from a home game against Columbus because of an injury.

In the start of a five-game homestand against a team that represents competition for a playoff spot and one that could not hardly buy a win in Pittsburgh in recent years, the Penguins started poorly and lost to Columbus.

Everyone wanted to know. Coach Mike Sullivan almost seemed as curious as everyone else. He did not have much to offer about Malkin’s injury.

Things seemed to turn around for the Penguins after a terrible start. But in the loss to the Blue Jackets, bad habits re-emerged. Even Sullivan was discouraged. Read the Penguins report card.

Wednesday: Injured center Evgeni Malkin turned up at practice, but he was limited, and there was no change in his day-to-day status. Phil Tomasino skated, too. It’s in the practice report.

We can now all agree: Defenseman Erik Karlsson is particularly hungry for a Stanley Cup. So, if that’s not going to happen here, would he listen to the rumor mill that crops up this time of year and seek a trade? Read this for his honest answer.

Practice this day included some game planning for the fleet, proficient Edmonton Oilers. In particular, facing stars such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the power play can be daunting. How did the Penguins plan to deal with that power play?

Ville Koivunen is one of the prospects that has helped to replenish the Penguins’ organizational depth. He had a big night in the AHL, logging his first hat trick.

Thursday: This one is surely ripe for some good, old-fashioned debate. The NHL is unveiling each franchise’s quarter-century teams, and this was the Penguins’ day for the reveal. Who made the cut?

It seems to be happening nearly every game this season. At 37, Sidney Crosby is reaching round numbers and milestones with regularity. He continued that against Edmonton with a big game.

This could easily be considered a huge plus on the yardstick metric. The Penguins matched Edmonton’s quickness — if not foot speed — as well as playing a strong defensive game to thwart the Oilers’ stars, and getting strong goaltending in a big win.

Look at all those A’s. The Penguins’ win against Edmonton represented the best of what the Penguins have to offer. Read the Penguins report card.

Friday: After being declared a game-time decision against Edmonton, but sitting out the pregame warmup and the game, Evgeni Malkin practiced the next day, but he did not participate fully. It’s in the practice report.

Their win against the Oilers showed everyone the way the Penguins are capable of playing and how they need to play. You could call it a recipe for success.

Sometimes, the real world creeps in. Forward Blake Lizotte, who spent his entire career with the Kings before signing with the Penguins last summer, was looking forward to playing in Los Angeles later this month. Now he’s more concerned about the fire disaster.