Schedule reprieve gives the Penguins some downtime but Pens Points is still rolling right along.
For most to the 2024-25 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been right near the top of the league in games played. That type of scheduling now results in the Penguins getting a rare April breather with three days off between games this week. It’s also the longest downtime of the Penguins season when you don’t count the Christmas break or the time off for the 4 Nations tournament.
Pens Points…
The future arrived in Pittsburgh this weekend when Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen were in the lineup against the Ottawa Senators. Both young guns impressed, playing in the top six, and should remain in the NHL until the end of the season. [Pensburgh]
Neither McGroarty or Koivunen will alter the Penguins outlook this season, but their presence marks the beginning of the next chapter of Penguins hockey and offers fans something to look forward to after another lost season. [Trib Live]
There are a lot of areas Kyle Dubas will need to focus on this summer, but one area that may need a complete rebuild is the defense. As a whole, the unit has not played at a NHL caliber all season and will need a complete retooling the offseason. [The Hockey Writers]
Although the Penguins are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, it’s all but a formality. At this point, the only standings related news for the Penguins should be where they fall to improve their draft lottery odds. [Pensburgh]
Typically, people spend their 21st birthday hitting the bars and celebrating the milestone with friends. For Rutger McGroarty, he spent his 21st birthday playing hockey on a line with Sidney Crosby, something that will be hard to ever top. [The Score]
For a franchise record 13th time in his career, captain Sidney Crosby was selected as the Penguins MVP. It’s also his fifth straight team MVP award. Teammate Noel Acciari was voted the winner of the team’s Unsung Hero Award. [Penguins]
One roster move from the Penguins on Monday. Forward Emil Bemstrom was placed on waivers by the team. If he is not claimed, Bemstrom will return to the AHL where he was spend most of the season. [The Hockey News]
NHL News and Notes…
If you’re basing it solely on point totals, the Western Conference has been the far superior conference this season with the eight playoff teams more or less decided. All that’s left to settle is seeding in the final weeks of the regular season. [TSN]
Less than 24 hours after being eliminated from the NCAA Hockey Tournament, two Boston College stars are NHL bound. Forwards and linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault are expected to sign pro deals with the Capitals and Rangers respectively. [ESPN]