Pens Points: Back to Raleigh we go The Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained a strong performance despite the absence of key players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. A significant contributor to their recent success has been defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has delivered some of his best performances in a Pittsburgh jersey. Karlsson’s consistent play has helped stabilize the team’s defense, allowing the Penguins to remain competitive in their current standings. Malkin, however, has hinted at future discussions regarding his contract. During a post-game interview following a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Malkin stated that he and general manager Kyle Dubas plan to revisit his contract situation after the season. Both parties have agreed to delay any formal talks until the summer, prioritizing the completion of the current campaign. Malkin also expressed his intention to continue playing, potentially extending his career beyond the current season by another two years. The team’s forward depth faces a challenge with the injury to forward Blake Lizotte. The Penguins announced on Tuesday that Lizotte will miss an extended period and will undergo a re-evaluation in approximately four weeks. His absence could test the team’s ability to maintain offensive consistency, particularly in the bottom-six forward positions. Beyond the Penguins, the NHL has seen several notable developments. Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury. The Oilers will need to adjust their offensive strategy without one of their most dynamic players. At the NHL General Managers’ meetings, former enforcer George Parros took the opportunity to address the Department of Player Safety.#evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #erik_karlsson #kyle_dubas
NHL playoff watch: Will the Penguins catch the Hurricanes? The final stretch of the NHL regular season is shaping up as a critical period for division races, with the Metropolitan Division remaining a focal point. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who were not expected to be a playoff contender in the 2025-26 season, have defied expectations by securing second place in the Metro. Their preseason over/under of 77.5 points has already been surpassed, positioning them as a serious threat to the Carolina Hurricanes, who lead the division by seven points. The two teams will face off on Wednesday in a pivotal matchup that could shift the balance of power in the Metro. The Hurricanes, who have dominated the division all season, hold a commanding seven-point lead over the Penguins. However, the Penguins’ upcoming schedule offers a glimmer of hope. Their next game against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, followed by a rematch on March 22, represents a potential "four-point swing" for either team. If Pittsburgh is to challenge the Hurricanes for the division title, these two games are essentially must-wins, given the current gap. Beyond these matchups, the Penguins have only four remaining games against playoff teams, while the Hurricanes face six such contests in their final 13 non-Pittsburgh games. The Hurricanes’ dominance is further underscored by their 97.2% chance of securing the division title, according to Stathletes projections, while the Penguins’ odds stand at a mere 1.5%. Despite these odds, the Penguins’ strong performance this season has kept their playoff hopes alive. Their 83 points place them in second place, with 15 games remaining before the regular season concludes on April 16.#columbus_blue_jackets #nhl #pittsburgh_penguins #carolina_hurricanes #metropolitan_division
Penguins Skate: No Crosby Yet, Several Updates and New Lines DENVER — The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the ice for their morning skate on Monday ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, but the team’s star player, Sidney Crosby, remained sidelined. Crosby, still recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain sustained during the Olympics, participated in line rushes with additional forwards Kevin Hayes and Avery Hayes. His absence continues as he works toward full recovery. The team welcomed back Evgeni Malkin, who rejoined the roster after serving a five-game suspension. Malkin’s return prompted coach Dan Muse to adjust the team’s lines, reuniting the Russian forward with fellow winger Egor Chinakhov and center Tommy Novak. This new trio is expected to provide a strong offensive presence in the upcoming game. Other notable updates included the absence of center Blake Lizotte, who was not present at the skate. Rookie Ville Koivunen remained in the lineup on the third line alongside center Ben Kindel and newly returned defenseman Justin Brazeau. Brazeau, who had been out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, took full line rushes during the skate, indicating his readiness to contribute. Former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Girard participated in the skate but was listed as a spare defenseman, suggesting limited role in the game. Meanwhile, the Penguins made roster adjustments by recalling defenseman Jack St. Ivany from his conditioning assignment with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. However, St. Ivany was not present at the skate, and the team sent Alex Alexeyev back to WBS in a corresponding move.#colorado_avalanche #evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #dan_muse
NHL On Tap: Malkin Back for Penguins, But Crosby Unlikely vs. Avalanche Evgeni Malkin will return to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup as they face the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. The Russian forward, who served a five-game suspension for slashing Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres on March 5, is set to play in the matchup at Ball Arena. Pittsburgh, currently tied with the New York Islanders for second in the Metropolitan Division, went 2-1-2 during Malkin’s absence, including a 1-1-1 record in their first three games of a five-game road trip. Captain Sidney Crosby, sidelined since a lower-body injury sustained while playing for Team Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics, has been skating with the team but is unlikely to play. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the league in points with 109, trails Connor McDavid by five points and remains a plus-57 in 64 games. The Avalanche, however, have lost two of their past three contests, narrowing their lead over the Dallas Stars in the Central Division. Artemi Panarin will make his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Kings host the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old forward, traded to the Kings on February 4, will face his former team for the first time since his trade. Panarin, who scored 607 points in seven seasons with the Rangers, has 12 points in 10 games with the Kings, who trail the Seattle Kraken by two points for the second wild card in the Western Conference. New York, meanwhile, has won four straight games and is 6-1-2 since returning from the Olympic break. Alexis Lafreniere, who has nine goals in his past 11 games, is one goal away from matching his 2023-24 total of 28. The Detroit Red Wings aim to end a three-game losing streak as they host the Calgary Flames in a Monday Night Hockey matchup.#colorado_avalanche #nathan_mackinnon #evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #alexander_olshanski
