The Pittsburgh Penguins rolled into Edmonton on the second night of a back-to-back and didn’t just survive-they dominated. In a statement win against a fully healthy Oilers squad, the Penguins walked out of Rogers Place with a commanding 6-2 victory, flipping the script from their previous meeting and reminding everyone that there’s still plenty of fight left in this group.
Let’s rewind for a moment: the last time these teams met, it was Stuart Skinner’s debut in a Penguins sweater, and it didn’t go as planned. Pittsburgh was outplayed in a 6-4 loss, but this time around, they flipped the narrative-and did it in historic fashion.
A 37-Second Blitz That Made History
The turning point? A jaw-dropping stretch of three goals in 37 seconds.
Anthony Mantha lit the lamp twice, and Sidney Crosby added another in a flurry that left the Oilers and their fans stunned. That trio of goals marked the fastest three scored against an opponent in Penguins history since the mid-90s.
For Edmonton, it was a painful milestone-never in their franchise’s history had they allowed three goals that quickly.
It was the kind of sequence that changes games-and seasons. The Penguins didn’t just seize momentum; they snatched the soul out of the building.
Karlsson Returns, and the Blue Line Steadies
Getting Erik Karlsson back in the lineup after a week away was a major boost. The reigning Norris Trophy winner didn’t miss a beat, bringing his signature poise and puck-moving ability back to the Penguins’ back end. His presence helped stabilize a defense that looked sharp and engaged all night.
Malkin Turns Back the Clock-Again
Evgeni Malkin continues to defy age and expectations. The 37-year-old center looked like a man on a mission, stripping Connor McDavid of the puck and finishing a breakaway with a silky five-hole goal on former Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry. After the game, Malkin made it clear he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
“I never said I want to retire. It’s all you,” Malkin said postgame. “I feel great.”
That’s not just talk-his play is backing it up. Malkin’s skating, vision, and finishing touch are all clicking at a high level, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Silovs Delivers in the Crease
Arturs Silovs quietly put together one of his best performances of the season. The young netminder stopped 30 of 32 shots, good for a .938 save percentage-his first outing above .900 since January 13.
Against a team with the firepower of Edmonton, that’s no small feat. Silovs looked calm, composed, and confident in net, giving the Penguins the kind of goaltending they’ve been searching for in tight games.
Rakell Keeps Rolling
Rickard Rakell is heating up at just the right time. The winger buried his ninth of the season on a delayed penalty, finishing off a slick feed from Malkin with a laser past Jarry to make it 4-1.
That goal lit a spark, and the Penguins rode the wave to two more tallies. Rakell now has points in five straight games and is looking more and more like the offensive threat Pittsburgh needs him to be.
Chinakhov’s Shot is the Real Deal
Egor Chinakhov continues to impress since arriving from Columbus. The young winger notched his fifth goal in just 12 games with the Penguins, and this one was a beauty.
Off a pass from Tommy Novak, Chinakhov stepped into a shot that rocketed top shelf so quickly, the puck was out of the net before anyone realized it had gone in. Even Jarry was caught watching the replay on the jumbotron to figure out what just happened.
Kyle Dubas may have found a hidden gem here. Chinakhov’s chemistry with Malkin is growing by the game, and his release is becoming must-watch every time he touches the puck.
One More Stop on the Road
With the win in Edmonton, the Penguins improved to 3-0 on their road swing through Seattle and Western Canada. They’ll look to cap off the trip with a clean sweep when they face the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
Puck drops at 6:00 p.m. ET.
If this version of the Penguins shows up again, they’ll be tough to beat. The veterans are leading, the young guns are contributing, and the team is playing with purpose. January might just be the spark this group needed.