The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves heading into a massively crucial week (which has been the case, it seems like, for the last month-plus) as they look to try and stay in a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Between playing five times this week (March 30 – April 5) and having to juggle the lineup due to injuries and struggles in overall play, there is plenty to be on the lookout for as a Penguins fan.
Crosby and Malkin Injuries: Short-Term or Bigger Issue?
It is impossible to discuss the Penguins without centering the conversation on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. For nearly two decades, they have been the twin pillars of the franchise. Right now, those pillars are in the shop for repairs.
Crosby is currently sidelined with another lower-body injury, and Malkin is nursing an upper-body ailment that has kept him out for three consecutive games. Both are officially listed as “day-to-day,” but in hockey parlance, that could mean anything from “skating tomorrow” to “see you in two weeks.”
Their absence was glaring in the recent 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. Without the two veterans in the lineup, the offense took a hit, and the team’s overall game suffered. The team’s ability to transition from the defensive zone to the attack has stalled. If even one of them cannot return for the Monday night tilt against the New York Islanders, the Penguins’ offensive depth will be tested beyond its limits.
A Metro Division Logjam
The math is simple but brutal. The Penguins have 88 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets also have 88 points. The Islanders sit just one point ahead with 89. In a division this tight, a two-game losing streak is essentially a season-ending event.
The schedule for the next seven days is a gauntlet to stay in the playoff race:
- Monday: A four-point swing game against the Islanders.
- Tuesday: A quick turnaround against a pesky Red Wings squad.
- Thursday: A high-octane matchup with the Lightning.
- The Weekend: A back-to-back set against the Florida Panthers.
At this point of the season, playing against teams that are battling with you for a playoff spot is a de facto playoff game in itself. The Penguins have two of those this week, when they take on the Islanders, who they are battling for a spot in the Metropolitan Division, and the Red Wings, who they could be fighting against for a spot in the wild card standings.
Defensive Struggles
While the injuries up front are grabbing the headlines, the real problem might be on the back end. Over the last seven games, the Penguins have been conceding goals at an alarming rate — roughly four and a half per game. Straightening out their defensive game this week will be imperative for any kind of success.
The irony is that the top pair, featuring Erik Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon, has been playing elite hockey. They are controlling the puck and limiting chances. Karlsson has also been great offensively, putting up six points last week. However, the drop-off to the second unit has been steep. The pairing of Kris Letang and Sam Girard is struggling significantly. They have not been able to get anything going on the offensive side and have allowed way too many high-danger chances in their own zone.
Related: Penguins Defense Is Still a Growing Concern
Coach Dan Muse is in a tight spot as he works to get his defensive unit straightened out. Could he shuffle things up and sit a veteran and bring up a younger defenseman like Ilya Solovyov or Alexander Alexeyev? The Penguins’ goaltending has been a bit of a roller coaster as well, and at the most important time of the season, they will need to get things back on track.
McGroarty Back in Pittsburgh
With the superstars out, the spotlight has shifted toward the next generation. The recent recall of rookie forward Rutger McGroarty isn’t just a depth move; it’s a necessity with the mounting injuries the Penguins have run into. McGroarty brings a level of energy and physical urgency that the veteran core sometimes lacks during the dog days of March and April.
But relying on rookies in a playoff hunt is a double-edged sword. The Penguins need their middle-six forwards — the guys who usually play supporting roles — to start driving the play. If the depth scoring doesn’t materialize during this five-game stretch, the Penguins’ playoff hopes might vanish before Crosby even gets back on the ice. If McGroarty can perform well enough, he could find himself staying in the Penguins’ lineup, even after some of the veterans get healthy.
Penguins Schedule March 30- April 5
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time | Game Notes |
| March 30 | vs. New York Islanders | PPG Paints Arena | 7:00 p.m. (EST) | Third meeting of the season (1-0-1) |
| March 31 | vs. Detroit Red Wings | PPG Paints Arena | 7:00 p.m. (EST) | Third meeting of the season (2-0-0) |
| April 2 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning | Benchmark International Arena | 7:00 p.m. (EST) | Third meeting of the season (1-0-1) |
| April 4 | vs. Florida Panthers | PPG Paints Arena | 5:00 p.m. (EST) | First half of a back-to-back vs. Florida |
| April 5 | vs. Florida Panthers | PPG Paints Arena | 3:00 p.m. (EST) | Final meeting of the season vs. Florida |
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