The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t just beat the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night - they made a statement. A 6-2 win is impressive on its own, but it was the way they did it that turned heads.
Three goals in just 37 seconds in the first period? That’s the kind of offensive burst that can flip a game - and maybe even a season.
And yes, those three goals came against Tristan Jarry - the former Penguins netminder who’s now wearing Oilers colors. That had to add a little extra juice in the building, especially for a Penguins team playing the second half of a back-to-back.
With the win, Pittsburgh moves to 25-14-11 on the season, good for 61 points and second place in the Metropolitan Division. That’s a far cry from where many expected them to be at this point.
Earlier in the year, the Penguins were pegged by plenty of analysts as likely sellers at the trade deadline - a veteran team perhaps headed for a retool. But now?
They’re right in the thick of the playoff race and looking more like buyers than sellers as March approaches.
The conversation around this team is starting to shift - and Thursday’s performance is a big reason why.
Let’s talk about the matchup itself. Edmonton came in playing some of their best hockey of the season.
Their defensive structure has tightened up, and goaltending - once a glaring issue - has been trending in the right direction. But Pittsburgh didn’t flinch.
They came out flying, and when you hang three goals in under a minute on a team that’s been locking things down, that says something.
There was also a bit of symbolism in this one: Sidney Crosby vs. Connor McDavid.
It’s a matchup that always carries weight, especially in a locker room like Pittsburgh’s, where Crosby still sets the tone. On the second night of a back-to-back, the Penguins could’ve come out flat.
Instead, they looked energized - like they had something to prove. And they delivered.
Former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton put it well: “There was a lot of pride on the line for the Penguins.” He’s right.
You could see it in the way they played - fast, focused, and fearless. This wasn’t just about two points in the standings.
It felt like a team rallying around its captain, its identity, and its playoff hopes.
Now, with 50 games in the rearview mirror, the Penguins are forcing a reevaluation. This isn’t just a team hanging around - they’re pushing. And in a Metropolitan Division that’s been anything but predictable, Pittsburgh is positioning itself as a real factor down the stretch.
So forget the early-season trade deadline chatter. The Penguins aren’t fading - they’re surging. And if they keep playing like this, they won’t just be in the playoff mix - they’ll be a team nobody wants to face come April.