Penguins Sweep Western Swing with Statement Win Over Canucks
While snow blanketed Pittsburgh, the Penguins were busy heating up the West Coast, wrapping up a perfect four-game road trip with a 3-2 win over the Canucks in Vancouver. It wasn’t just a win-it was a gritty, resilient performance that showcased the depth, chemistry, and growing confidence of a team finding its identity at just the right time.
Let’s break it down.
A Disallowed Goal, Then a Breakthrough
The Penguins thought they had struck early when Egor Chinakhov-whose shot has become must-watch TV-buried one in the first period. But after a coach’s challenge, the goal was overturned for offside. Tough break, but the Pens didn’t lose their edge.
Vancouver had a goal wiped off the board as well, this time due to goalie interference. Former Penguin Teddy Blueger was in the mix, and the officials ruled he impeded goaltender Stuart Skinner’s ability to make the save. So, after a first period filled with would-be goals and video reviews, it was still 0-0 heading into the second.
That’s when Pittsburgh took control.
Malkin Opens the Floodgates
The Penguins’ so-called “Semi-Comrade Line” got things rolling at 5:24 of the second period. Chinakhov started the play with a slick breakout pass to Tommy Novak, who carried the puck into the offensive zone with speed and purpose. He found Evgeni Malkin near the net, and the veteran center did what he does best-snapped a shot high over Kevin Lankinen’s shoulder for the 1-0 lead.
Malkin’s finish was vintage Geno-quick, precise, and ruthless. And it set the tone for what would be a dominant stretch of play by the Penguins.
Hometown Hero Ben Kindel Steals the Show
Just three minutes after Malkin’s opener, the Penguins doubled their lead-and this time, it came from a name that’s quickly becoming one to watch.
Anthony Mantha fed Ryan Shea in the left circle, and Shea sent a sharp pass into the slot. Rookie Ben Kindel, playing in front of a sizable hometown crowd in Coquitlam, BC, got a fortunate bounce as the puck deflected off his skate and past Lankinen. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it counted all the same-and it snapped a 19-game goalless drought for the rookie.
But Kindel wasn’t done.
With under three minutes to go in the second, Justin Brazeau found him in the high slot with a silky feed. Kindel didn’t hesitate-he ripped a laser that shattered the net cam and blew the roof off Rogers Arena. A picture-perfect snipe, and a moment the 21-year-old (and his 100-plus friends and family in attendance) won’t forget anytime soon.
Canucks Push Back, Skinner Slams the Door
Down 3-0, Vancouver didn’t fold. They got one back late in the second when Jake DeBrusk capitalized on a chaotic sequence in front of the net.
Elias Pettersson was draped over a downed Skinner, and while it looked like goaltender interference on first glance, the Penguins opted not to challenge. It was a smart call-replays showed Blake Lizotte had initiated contact with Pettersson, which likely would’ve made the challenge unsuccessful.
The Canucks made it a one-goal game with six minutes left in regulation, as a point shot deflected off Blueger and in from close range. Suddenly, the Penguins were clinging to a 3-2 lead, and Vancouver was pressing hard.
But Stuart Skinner was up to the challenge.
The Penguins’ netminder came up with a pair of massive saves in the final minute, including a diving, chest-first stop on Brock Boeser that brought back memories of Marc-Andre Fleury’s legendary Cup-saving save in 2009. Skinner then denied both Drew O’Connor and Boeser again in the dying seconds to preserve the win.
He was calm, composed, and clutch-everything you want from your goaltender in a high-pressure moment.
Notes and Nuggets
- Ben Kindel’s breakout couldn’t have been scripted better. Two goals, a huge homecoming, and a long scoring drought snapped in front of a raucous crowd of friends and family. His second goal was especially impressive-clean, confident, and delivered with authority.
- Kris Letang returned to the lineup after missing two games and immediately logged a game-high 26:28 of ice time. That workload increased after Jack St.
Ivany left early with an upper-body injury. Connor Clifton was a scratch.
- Evgeni Malkin appeared to be in discomfort late in the game. He’s listed as day-to-day, and the hope is it’s not a recurrence of his previous shoulder issue. Losing Geno, especially with the way he’s been playing, would be a significant blow.
- Stuart Skinner continues to shine. He turned aside 30 of 32 shots and is now 7-1 in his last eight starts with a sparkling .934 save percentage over that stretch. He didn’t get a star in this one (Kindel was first, Malkin third), but he easily could have.
- The Penguins’ chemistry is starting to resemble something special. A mix of veterans, castoffs, and young talent coming together in a way that feels familiar-almost like the early days of the Vegas Golden Knights. The pieces, somehow, are fitting.
- Vancouver’s struggles continue. They’re now 1-11-2 in their last 14, and the frustration was evident throughout the night. The Canucks featured four former Penguins-Blueger, O’Connor, Marcus Pettersson, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph-as well as GM Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford in the front office.
- Teddy Blueger, recently back from injury, played with noticeable intensity against his former team. He was involved in both a disallowed goal and a deflection that cut the Pens’ lead to one.
Where Things Stand
With the win, Pittsburgh improves to 26-14-11 on the season and sits second in the Metropolitan Division with 63 points-four ahead of the Islanders. Since Christmas, the Penguins are 11-2-2, one of the hottest teams in the league. And with several Atlantic Division teams also heating up, every point matters.
Next up: a home date with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
The Penguins are rolling. And if this road trip is any indication, they’re starting to believe they can be more than just a playoff team-they might just be a problem come spring.