Story by
Penguins Report Card: Wow, These Rookies are Fun
- Story by
- Penguins Report Card: Wow, These Rookies are Fun
Penguins Report Card: Wow, These Rookies are Fun
The Pittsburgh Penguins reversed recent history. Clad in their new yellow third jerseys and yellow helmets, it was they who got the big goals, key saves, and held a late lead in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins have struggled against New York, losing five of the last six games (1-3-2). Still, the coalescence around new coach Dan Muse and the energetic style has created a unique dynamic in which the Penguins have begun the 2025-26 season looking like a much more competitive team than previous, supposedly more talented iterations.
Advertisement
They've held a pair of third period leads en route to a 2-0-0 record, despite Muse's open encouragement of his defensemen to join the forecheck and the offensive play.
"For me, when you start a third period, even if it's a tie game, I'm not one to say we're going to totally change things from the start of a game. I think when you get towards the end of the third period with a lead, that's when you might make some slight adjustments," Muse said. "I've just found that if you try to go too far on one side of it, then you start really sitting back and being on your heels. And so it's not really for me–to change too much there, especially early in the third."
Sure, the Penguins veterans, especially Evgeni Malkin , who has five points in two games, and Erik Karlsson , who looks more like the aggressive defenseman that general manager Kyle Dubas spent months trying to acquire in 2023, are playing extremely well.
But the biggest difference is the infused cocktail of second-chance players like Justin Brazeau , who has three goals in two games, and the several rookies in the lineup.
Advertisement
The rookies are making a significant difference. Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke played their second career games Thursday, and each has more than earned their keep.
Kindel was a constant presence at both ends of the rink, including a diving interference of a New York rush in the third period, while the game was tied 3-3.
Brunicke jumped into the play and sniped a wrister from the slot past the glove of New York goalie Igor Shesterkin for his first career goal.
"I was just following up the play, and you know (Hallander) made a great play peeling out there and finding me," said Brunicke. "And, just yeah, a lot of emotions after that, and it felt pretty good."
Advertisement
Fellow rookie Filip Hallander registered the primary assist on Brunicke's goal. He was a noticeable upgrade on the Penguins' third line with Kindel in the first two periods, and then his hop earned him a promotion to the top line with Sidney Crosby in the third period.
"He looked like he was going there, and so it was five-on-five, I felt like we could generate a little bit more, and we looked to make a switch (putting Hallander with Crosby)," said Muse. "And yeah, I thought actually in the third period it was a little bit better there in terms of some of the stuff we were looking to generate at the five-on-five standpoint. And so that was what we wanted."
Oh, and goalie Tristan Jarry weathered a few boos in the opening introductions to backstop the Penguins' win with stellar saves throughout the third period.
Unlike Tuesday when the Penguins outshot the New York Rangers 15-5 in the third period, they were outshot 12-8 Thursday, including a high-pressure Islanders power play after refs nabbed Kindel for hooking at 16:15.
Advertisement
Is it sustainable? Some of it, yes. Some of it, no. For now, the energy is ebullient. The players are both playing connected on the ice, but also quick to stick up for each other in the dirty areas.
Parker Wortherspoon wasted no time getting after Islanders captain Anders Lee after Lee sprayed Jarry with ice. An angry scrum ensued as the Penguins weren't shy about trading mitts.
In years past? The crowd groans, players skate away, maybe a few words are exchanged.
And…these rookies. They are really fun to watch.
Penguins Analysis
Admittedly, the Penguins' game on Thursday was not a tight, structured clinic of systems hockey and responsibility. Neither team wilted, and they traded chances for most of 60 minutes, with neither team commanding play for too long.
Advertisement
The first thing to note about Muse's tactics is the defensemen and his encouragement of them to join the play. He unleashes the hounds more often than the Baskervilles.
Karlsson is all over the ice. Yes, he made some mistakes, but he created pressure in the offensive zone.
Brunicke is ever dangerous, ready to jump into the play or lead the rush as able. Neither Ryan Shea nor Caleb Jones has been shy about participating in the offense. Also, the defensemen are part of the forecheck, too. Muse likes to bring his defensemen forward to create pressure, and it's up to the forwards to realize when it's time to drop back.
The Penguins weren't perfect Thursday, and the Islanders had too many odd-man breaks, but–apologies to many Penguins fans–Jarry was on his game.
Advertisement
The Penguins have also been exceptionally good on the walls. Perhaps it is their energy, and perhaps it's the personnel who are more suited to a gritty game, but the ability to win puck battles keeps the puck on their stick or limits opponents' time in the offensive zone.
Penguins Report Card
Team: B
It is a good B, not a soft B. They made too many mistakes–too many "uh oh" pinches, too many missed assignments, and some sloppy puck management compounded with sloppy backtracking (see also: the Islanders' third goal by Maxim Shabanov) for an A. Their energy and determination, combined with playing well in big moments–that gets them a solid B.
Advertisement
Ben Kindel: A
There is a lot to like about his game. He's strong on the wall despite not being an overly strong player. He's quick through traffic, and he's responsible defensively. With a sneaky little fake and quick step deep in the offensive zone, he created a passing lane to Brazeau in front for a goal that could have been the clincher (Brazeau fanned).
His dive to break up the Islanders' rush in the third period tells you everything you need to know.
Harrison Brunicke: A–
His game is months away from being polished, but that doesn't preclude a very good grade. He was very good on the rush and in the offensive zone. Unlike Tuesday, Brunicke was settled and confident. He dutifully got between the Islanders and the net.
Advertisement
He could have played the Islanders' third goal much tighter, but the good far outweighed the bad. His first NHL goal was well earned with a lot of skating and a good shot.
Filip Hallander: A
Hallander was solid. His straight-ahead game and ability to fish pucks off the wall with the third line were a noticeable contrast to the first game, in which he did not play. His ability to help Kindel with the heavy lifting also helped Tommy Novak on the other side of the third line.
Hallander plays a complete game; nothing flashy, nothing out of the ordinary, but his success and simplicity allowed other players to elevate. In the third period, Muse put him on Crosby's line for the struggling Ville Koivunen .
Advertisement
Ville Koivunen: D
It has been a disappointing start to the season for Koivunen, who certainly did little to click with Crosby. Multiple times in the first period, Crosby could be seen on the bench lecturing his rookie linemate.
Koivunen had just one shot on goal and no other attempts. He is zigging when the game is zagging. After an extraordinary eight-game run to end last season, Koivunen is getting a big dose of adversity to start this season.
Justin Brazeau/Anthony Mantha : A
The biggest questions about consistency and sustainability will focus on Malkin's wingers. Both were standouts Thursday as Brazeau scored another beauty–a breakaway setup by Malkin.
Advertisement
"Based on his first game, we were expecting two goals," joked Muse.
Mantha was also very good in the offensive zone. His skill set is obvious, but he'll need to finish a few of the chances, too.
Erik Karlsson : B+
We had an A grade for Karlsson as he scooted up and down the ice, both creating and recovering. He is playing inspired. However, giving up a breakaway in the final 15 seconds…that's silliness.
Karlsson had two shots on goal, four misses, and two blocked. He was again pretty good and solid in the D-zone. Perhaps his decision-making will always leave room for misadventure.
Advertisement
Tristan Jarry: B+
A couple of awkward goals drag down his grade from an A, but Jarry made huge saves, key saves, athletic saves, and game-saving saves. He bailed out some scattered defending a few times.
He provided winning netminding, which is all any team can ask.
"He earned his opportunity to be in there," Muse said.
The post Penguins Report Card: Wow, These Rookies are Fun appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
Related Headlines
