Penguins Keep Rolling with Convincing Win Over Blackhawks: 10 Takeaways from a Team Finding Its Groove
The Pittsburgh Penguins did exactly what playoff-caliber teams are supposed to do when facing a rebuilding opponent - they took care of business. After a sluggish opening stretch against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins flipped the switch and dominated the final 50 minutes en route to a 6-2 win.
Connor Dewar led the way with a pair of goals, and four others - Ben Kindel, Anthony Mantha, Egor Chinakhov, and Ryan Shea - chipped in as Pittsburgh extended its win streak to five. The victory was another step forward for a team that’s quietly building momentum, now sitting second in the Metropolitan Division and looking more and more like a playoff lock.
They’ve earned at least a point in 14 of their 16 games since the Christmas break and now hold a seven-point cushion in the division standings. With a plus-21 goal differential - tied for sixth-best in the NHL - and four games left before the Olympic break, the Penguins are pacing toward a 103-point season. Not bad for a group that came into the year with more questions than answers.
Here are 10 key takeaways from Thursday night’s win - and what they tell us about where this team is heading.
1. Penguins Took Control and Never Looked Back
Yes, the Blackhawks are in the midst of a tough season, but the way Pittsburgh responded after a sluggish start was exactly what you want to see from a team on the rise. Chicago had the first five shots on goal.
After that? Pittsburgh outshot them 44-15.
That’s not just dominance - that’s a team locking in and playing to its identity.
Over this five-game winning streak, the Penguins have outscored opponents 25-10. This is the best hockey they’ve played all season, and it’s not particularly close.
Typically, teams stumble in their first home game after a long road trip. The Penguins didn’t.
That says something.
2. Dewar’s Game Isn’t Flashy - It’s Effective
Connor Dewar now has 13 goals on the season, and while he may not generate highlight-reel plays every night, his impact is undeniable. He plays a no-nonsense, straight-line game - the kind that doesn’t always make headlines but wins games. And right now, he’s playing it at a high level.
Since joining Pittsburgh last season, the Penguins are 36-19-13 when he’s in the lineup. He’s been a stabilizing force in the bottom six - a group that instantly improved the moment Kyle Dubas brought him in from Toronto before last year’s trade deadline.
3. Mantha Quietly Having a Career Year
Anthony Mantha had three points against Chicago and now sits at 17 goals and 38 points through 52 games. While there have been stretches where he’s flown under the radar, his production has been steady - and crucial.
He’s bounced back from a torn ACL last season and seems to be skating better as the year goes on. Whether the Penguins bring him back next season is a question for another day, but there’s no denying his value to this team right now.
4. Chinakhov’s Hands Are Catching Up to His Shot
We’ve talked plenty about Egor Chinakhov’s shot - and for good reason. It’s a rocket. But his goal in the second period was a reminder that his hands might be just as special.
The move he made to finish that play was elite-level stuff. Chinakhov is already a legitimate top-six forward, and while his full ceiling is still unknown, his skating, hands, and shot give him game-breaking potential. The Penguins are a different team with him in the lineup.
5. Ryan Shea: Quietly Reliable on the Blue Line
Ryan Shea isn’t the kind of defenseman who makes headlines, but he’s been a rock on the third pairing. With 21 points in 52 games and a plus-21 rating, he’s doing more than just holding his own - he’s thriving.
He’s not known for offense, but his puck decisions are smart, and he’s consistently in the right position. Every contending team needs a player like Shea - dependable, steady, and quietly effective.
6. Silovs Trending in the Right Direction
Arturs Silovs is making the most of his opportunities. While his starts have dipped slightly, his play has leveled up. He’s allowed just 10 goals in his last five starts and has posted a save percentage of .900 or better in four of those games.
He’s cleaned up his technique and isn’t giving up the soft goals we saw earlier in the season. With Sergei Murashov looming in the pipeline, Silovs’ long-term role remains to be seen, but at just 24 years old, he’s giving the Penguins something to think about.
7. Crosby Quiet in Return After Time Off
Sidney Crosby didn’t register a point and was relatively quiet against the Blackhawks. That’s rare - and possibly not a coincidence. The Penguins had three days off before this game, and historically, Crosby hasn’t always looked sharp with extended rest.
He now has just three goals in his last 27 games when playing after three or more days off. Something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
8. Rust Begins Suspension, McGroarty Steps In
Bryan Rust sat out the first of his three-game suspension after a high hit on Brock Boeser. While the suspension length is up for debate, the Penguins had to adjust - and rookie Rutger McGroarty stepped in and stepped up.
He finished a plus-3, led the team with five shots on goal, and added three hits. It was one of his most complete games at the NHL level.
His linemate, Ben Kindel, continued his hot streak with his third goal in two games and added an assist. That line brought energy and production - exactly what you want when filling in for a key veteran.
9. Penguins Get the Win, But So Does the Rest of the Metro
Despite the win, the Penguins didn’t gain ground in the Metro standings, with the Hurricanes, Islanders, Capitals, and Devils all picking up victories. But the bigger picture is this: the Penguins are in the hunt, and fans are scoreboard-watching in late January - something few expected when the season began.
That’s a good sign.
10. Looking Ahead: A Celebration and a Test
Next up: the New York Rangers come to town on Saturday afternoon. The Penguins will be honoring their 2016 Stanley Cup championship team in a pregame ceremony - and the current squad will be looking to keep the momentum going against a division rival.
No one’s handing out banners in January, but this Penguins team is showing signs of something real. They’re winning games they should, finding contributions up and down the lineup, and playing their best hockey of the season when it matters most.
The climb isn’t over, but the direction is clear - and it’s pointing up.