Penguins Blitz Oilers Early, Ride Mantha’s Two Goals to Dominant 6-2 Win in Edmonton
EDMONTON - The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t just come out flying - they came out firing, scoring three goals in a jaw-dropping 37-second span to stun the Edmonton Oilers and cruise to a 6-2 win on Thursday night. Anthony Mantha led the charge with a pair of goals, while Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby each found the back of the net as the Pens extended their hot streak to 10-2-2 over their last 14 games.
It was a statement win for a Penguins team that’s quietly building momentum - and doing it with authority.
A Start for the Ages
Sometimes the tone of a game is set early. In this one, the Penguins didn’t just set the tone - they wrote the whole first chapter in under three minutes.
Just 2:20 into the first period, Justin Brazeau threaded a slick pass through a defender’s legs to Mantha, who redirected it home to open the scoring. Before fans at Rogers Place could process what happened, Mantha struck again - this time on a breakaway just 22 seconds later. Then, as if on cue, Sidney Crosby made it 3-0 just 15 seconds after that, deflecting a pass from the slot into the net.
Three goals. Four shots.
Thirty-seven seconds. It was the third-fastest three-goal burst in Penguins history - and, incredibly, the fastest three goals the Oilers have ever allowed in franchise history.
For Pittsburgh, it was the kind of start coaches dream about and goalies dread. For Edmonton, it was a nightmare they couldn’t wake up from.
Mantha’s Moment, Malkin’s Magic
Anthony Mantha’s two-goal performance was the headline, but this was a full-team effort from the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin chipped in with a goal and an assist, continuing his recent strong play. Crosby’s goal marked yet another chapter in his storied career, and when both he and Malkin score in the same game, history says good things happen for Pittsburgh - they’re now 117-10-7 when that happens.
Rickard Rakell and Egor Chinakhov also found the back of the net, while Arturs Silovs stood tall in goal with 30 saves to secure the win.
One under-the-radar standout? Defenseman Jack St.
Ivany. The young blueliner has quietly doubled his season point total over the last two games.
After notching three assists in his first 14 NHL appearances, he added two more against Calgary on Wednesday and followed it up with another two-assist night in Edmonton. That’s the kind of offensive contribution from the back end that can make a big difference down the stretch.
McDavid Muzzled
It’s not often you see Connor McDavid held off the scoresheet - let alone for two straight games. But that’s exactly what happened Thursday, marking the first time all season he’s gone consecutive games without a point. You’d have to go back nearly a year, to February 2025, to find the last time that happened - and even then, it came with the 4 Nations Face-Off sandwiched in between.
The Penguins’ ability to neutralize McDavid was a key storyline, especially given his track record against Crosby. Coming into the night, McDavid had 11 goals and 34 points in 16 career games against the Pens.
Crosby, by contrast, had just four goals and 11 points in those same matchups. But on this night, it was Crosby and company who flipped the script.
Breaking the Edmonton Curse
Thursday’s win also snapped a drought for Pittsburgh in Edmonton - they hadn’t won there since December 20, 2019. That’s a long time to go without a W in a building, especially when one of the game’s greatest players is on the other side. But with the Penguins clicking on all cylinders and McDavid quieted, that streak came to a decisive end.
What’s Next
The Penguins head home riding a three-game win streak and brimming with confidence. As for the Oilers, they’ll try to regroup quickly before hosting the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
If this game was any indication, the Penguins are heating up - and if you’re in the East, you might want to start paying attention.