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Inside Penguins Game 4 Changes; Silovs Replaces Skinner
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- Inside Penguins Game 4 Changes; Silovs Replaces Skinner
Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse is making a few changes to his lineup Saturday, though the only one he would confirm was swapping goalie Stuart Skinner for Arturs Silovs .
Silovs, 25, will make his first Stanley Cup Playoffs start since a magical 10-game run with the 2024 Vancouver Canucks , who took the Edmonton Oilers to Game 7 in Round Two with Silovs in net.
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Muse was quick to point out that Skinner has played well, but the Penguins have lost three straight games.
"Both guys have played very well for us all year. Both guys have gone through the regular season, and both guys have won big games," said Muse following the team's optional morning skate at Xfinity Mobile Arena. "We have a lot of confidence in both guys. The decision isn't based on Stu's play. I thought Stu had played really well this series. He lost three games, and so decided that we'd make some changes in the lineup."
Silovs made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut somewhat unexpectedly in 2024 when ineffectiveness and injuries on the Vancouver Canucks goalie depth chart thrust him into the playoffs. He was 5-5 with an .898 save percentage as Vancouver nearly upset the Edmonton Oilers, losing in Game 7.
This season was Silovs's rookie campaign. He finished with 39 appearences, a 19-12-8 record, and an .888 save percentage.
However, the Penguins coach was mum on other changes, including the obvious insertion of beefy defenseman Ilya Solovyov , 25, into the lineup on the third pairing with Ryan Shea . Though Muse didn't confirm Solovyov's inclusion, Solovyov did.
"One player doesn't change anything. Obviously, I just can help the guys play their best game," Solovyov said. "Bring some physicality, blocking shots, maybe some shots from the blue line as well."
He's been watching for three games; watching the physicality and the extra physicality. Those are the things that a 6-foot-3, 208-pound D-man can aid.
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This season, Solovyov played 14 NHL games with the Penguins after GM Kyle Dubas acquired him from the Colorado Avalanche for minor league forward Valtteri Puustinen . Solovyov had five assists in those games, but also had 14 blocked shots and 16 hits.
"Our coaches tell us, playing between the whistles. After the whistle, we've got to manage our emotions, physicality," Solovyov said . "If they try to do something, we're not able to step away, but really not able to draw the penalty as well–because they love to play four-on-four–Like, ( Bryan Rust ) got a penalty last game for nothing. So we got to be smart."
After playing in 45 regular season games spread over three teams ( Calgary , Colorado, Penguins), when he steps onto the ice Saturday night, the affable, though far from verbose, Penguins rearguard will be making his playoffs debut.
The post Inside Penguins Game 4 Changes; Silovs Replaces Skinner appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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