The NHL's Eastern Conference playoff race is as intense as ever, with seven teams battling it out for just five spots. Among these contenders are the Penguins, who are right in the thick of things.
In the Atlantic Division, the Canadiens and Bruins are holding wild card spots with 86 points each. Meanwhile, the Red Wings trail closely with 84 points, and the Senators, who are on a hot streak, have 83.
Over in the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins sit at 86 points, with the Blue Jackets and Islanders nipping at their heels, both with 85 points.
It's a tight race, and the magic number for a playoff spot seems to be 98 points. This means the Penguins need to secure 12 points in their final 12 games. It sounds achievable, but given their challenging schedule and recent performance issues, a playoff berth is far from guaranteed.
Defense has been a significant concern. Since a tough 5-1 loss to the Sabres on March 5, the Penguins have allowed a whopping 42 non-shootout goals in 10 games, averaging over four goals per game.
While goalies Stuart Skinner and Arturs Šilovs have had their struggles, it's not fair to pin all the blame on them. The bottom defensive pairings have been shaky, especially after a trade that sent Brett Kulak to the Avalanche in exchange for Samuel Girard.
Girard hasn't clicked with Kris Letang, whose performance has dipped drastically, posting a minus-11 and just two assists in 14 games since the trade.
Coach Dan Muse is also grappling with the third defensive pairing. Newcomer Ilya Soloyov has shown flashes of potential but is prone to mistakes.
His pairing with Connor Clifton has struggled, especially in puck movement. In a bid to stabilize things, Muse brought back Ryan Graves for a game against the Hurricanes, but his puck-handling issues make him a questionable fit.
Owen Pickering, another option, hasn't impressed in his previous stint.
A potential solution could be Caleb Jones, who has had a tough season. After starting strong, he was sidelined with a broken foot and is currently serving a 20-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy.
Despite his modest stats, the Penguins boast a 6-1 record with him in the lineup. Jones brings speed and the ability to make smart plays from the defensive zone-skills the team desperately needs.
Jones won't be eligible to return until at least April 2 against the Lightning. Upon his return, he might be sent to the Baby Pens for conditioning, potentially extending to the season's end.
If the Penguins miss the playoffs, Jones's absence due to suspension might prove to be a more significant factor than anticipated. The team will need every edge they can get as they navigate this thrilling playoff chase.