3 Penguins Who Have Aided the Playoff Push – The Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division and are very close to clinching a playoff spot. They have exceeded expectations this season, and there are several players who have helped get the team to this point. 

Penguins’ Players Who Have Stepped Up This Season 

The Penguins have gotten strong performances from several players this season, including Rickard Rakell. In 55 games, he has 21 goals and 23 assists. He was particularly good throughout the month of March. On March 26, he had two goals and one assist in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators. On March 30, he scored a shorthanded goal in his team’s 8-3 win over the New York Islanders. Before his goal, the Islanders had momentum on their side, but when he scored, the whole tempo changed.

Through 17 games in the month of March, Rakell scored 10 goals and had nine assists. His ability to create chances and convert those chances into goals has been on display all season, especially when the team needed him the most. Sidney Crosby was injured on Feb. 18 during the Olympics and did not return until March 18. 

Rakell had to step into the role of first-line center while his captain was out, and while it was not ideal, he made the most of it. He provided the offense and positive production at a critical point in the season. There was a lot of speculation last season at the trade deadline about whether or not the Penguins would trade him; however, general manager Kyle Dubas made the right decision in keeping him. 

Anthony Mantha is another player who has stepped up for Pittsburgh this season. The team signed Mantha to a one-year deal last summer, and expectations were not high. Fast forward to April 2026, and he is one of the top reasons the Penguins hold their current spot in the standings. In 77 games, he has 61 points, which is a career high. 

On March 30, the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 8-3. Mantha had two goals and one assist in the game and was one of the best players on the ice. All season, he has done a good job at using his size (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) to get to the net and create space. He has also been good at finishing plays and winning puck battles. He has also been a strong contributor on the power play.

The concern with Mantha heading into this season was whether or not he would be able to consistently produce. Head coach Dan Muse has done a good job of setting him up for success by strategically placing him where he can thrive. He does not have to worry about creating offense, he can simply go to the front of the net and score. 

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Another player who has stepped up in a big way this season is Ben Kindel. At 18 years old, the maturity he has shown all season far surpasses his years. He has 17 goals and 17 assists in 74 games, and there is a good chance he will hit 20 goals before the end of the season. When the Penguins drafted him with the 11th pick in last year’s draft, they probably did not expect this kind of production from him so soon. He has been asked to take on a few different roles this season due to injuries, and he has contributed no matter where in the lineup he has been placed. He is such a smart player with good vision and a good release. He has not just been along for the ride this season; he has been a solid contributor in helping the team reach this point. 

Penguins’ Playoff Hopes Are Almost a Reality

No one expected this type of performance from the Penguins, and Rakell, Mantha and Kindel have been key contributors. There are four games left in the regular season, and the team needs every point it can get. A strong, consistent performance from every player will be important as they finish out the regular season and look ahead to the playoffs.