The Penguins Weren’t Supposed to Be Here - But They’re Not Going Away Quietly
It’s December in Pittsburgh. Snow’s on the ground, Christmas music is in the air, and the NHL season has quietly hit the one-third mark. That’s usually the time when we start separating the contenders from the pretenders.
And yet, here are the Pittsburgh Penguins - still standing, still fighting, still relevant.
This was supposed to be the season the wheels came off. The roster was aging, the young talent wasn’t quite ready, the blue line looked like a patchwork, and a new, unproven head coach in Dan Muse was stepping behind the bench. Most preseason projections had the Penguins finishing near the bottom of the league.
But something funny happened on the way to irrelevance: the Penguins decided they weren’t done yet.
Trending Up - and Getting Healthier
Sure, November brought its share of turbulence. But Pittsburgh has won three of its last four games and currently holds a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference wild-card race.
And the best part? Help is on the way.
They’ve been playing shorthanded for weeks, missing key contributors across all four forward lines. But reinforcements are coming - and soon.
Rickard Rakell, a crucial piece of the top line, is nearing his return from hand surgery. With Crosby already producing at an elite level, Rakell’s presence could give that top unit the balance and punch it’s been missing at even strength. Crosby’s been doing most of his damage on the power play, but with Rakell back, expect the top line to find another gear.
The second line has been in flux since Justin Brazeau went down with an injury in early November. His return could come any day now, and while it’s fair to temper expectations, his October performance wasn’t a fluke.
He’s got legit hands, real size, and a knack for finding chemistry with teammates like Malkin and Mantha. If he picks up where he left off, that line could become a handful again - especially with Malkin playing with the urgency of a man who knows the clock is ticking.
And don’t forget about the bottom six. Rutger McGroarty, the promising prospect acquired in the Brayden Yager trade, just made his season debut.
He brings defensive responsibility and a physical edge - a perfect match for rookie Ben Kindel, whose vision and passing have been begging for linemates who can finish and grind. That duo could quietly become one of the more effective shutdown lines in the conference.
Even the fourth line was showing signs of life before Noel Acciari went down. He’s expected back soon, and with his return, all four lines could be fully operational for the first time in weeks.
Jarry’s Resurgence Changes Everything
Let’s talk goaltending - because Tristan Jarry is playing like a different man this season. This isn’t the erratic version we saw in 2023 or 2024.
This is the All-Star version. The one who can steal games.
The one who looks locked in when it matters most.
Jarry has always had the tools - athleticism, reflexes, puck-handling. But consistency and confidence have been elusive.
Right now, though, he’s dialed in. And when your goalie is playing with this kind of poise, it changes the entire complexion of your team.
Crosby and Malkin: The Heart Still Beats
Sidney Crosby is 18 goals deep through the first 25 games - a pace he’s only matched once in his career, during the 2016-17 season. No, he’s not going to score 59 goals.
But let’s not get bogged down in projections. What matters is that he’s still elite, still dominant, and still capable of dragging this team into the fight.
And then there’s Evgeni Malkin, who’s made no secret of the fact that this could be his final year in Pittsburgh. Whether it’s a message to management or just raw honesty, it’s clear this season means something more to him. He’s playing with purpose - and when Malkin is engaged, he’s still a force.
The Blue Line Surprise
Quietly, the Penguins' blue line has turned into a strength. Parker Wotherspoon, signed as a free agent after a modest stint in Boston, has been a revelation.
He’s not just holding his own - he’s thriving as Erik Karlsson’s partner. That pairing has given Pittsburgh a legitimate top duo, something few expected when the season began.
Karlsson, for his part, looks rejuvenated. He’s playing with edge, with confidence, and with the kind of flair that earned him a Norris Trophy.
Dubas could’ve moved him - but didn’t. And it’s paying off.
Ryan Shea is playing the best hockey of his career. Kris Letang has been inconsistent, but his legs - always the key to his game - are starting to come alive.
Even Ryan Graves, who struggled early, has found his footing. It’s not a perfect blue line, but it’s a lot better than it looked on paper.
The Path Ahead
This was supposed to be a transition year. Kyle Dubas is stockpiling draft picks, and the prospect pipeline is starting to show real promise. The future looks bright - but the present wasn’t supposed to be.
And yet, here we are.
If the Penguins can stay afloat through December and January, they’ll hit the Olympic break in a playoff position. And when the calendar flips to March - when the games get tighter, the stakes get higher, and the veterans start to smell the postseason - that’s when Crosby and Malkin’s muscle memory could take over.
No, this isn’t a Stanley Cup team. But if they make the playoffs?
That would be a fitting final chapter for this core. One last ride.
One more shot. And if Crosby keeps playing like this, he’s going to enter the Hart Trophy conversation - because dragging this team into the postseason would be one of the most impressive feats of his career.
The Penguins just need to get to March. And right now, they’re on track.