As the preseason finally comes to a close, the Pittsburgh Penguins front office will have some very difficult decisions to make heading into the weekend.
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The Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 in their final preseason game on Friday. Lars Eller and Noel Acciari each scored twice, and Rutger McGroarty, Jesse Puljujarvi and Rickard Rakell (PPG) also added goals for the Penguins.
There was a lot to like about this performance, especially from some of the guys who seemed to be fighting for their chance to get a place on the team.
Here are my observations and reactions to this game:
– The Penguins third line was by far the best of the night, and it wasn’t particularly close.
They scored just 11 seconds apart in the second period. First, Puljujarvi made a bad move on a breakaway after a nice, long pass from Eller. Then, McGroarty scored his first preseason goal from the slot thanks to a perfect pass from Puljujarvi.
Eller added a goal later, and he scored again in the third period after McGroarty made a spectacular diving pass to Puljujarvi, who put it in front of the net.
The combined line for four even-strength goals and ten points.
The three attackers were masterful this evening. I know the Penguins have some tough decisions to make, but Puljujarvi has to be a lock at this point.
And honestly? I don’t see how you come out of this game and send McGroarty to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Given his waiver exemption, that’s his likely destination, barring injuries. But he deserves a place on this roster. He is now ready for the NHL, and he showed it tonight.
If this can be the Penguins’ third line during the regular season – and they do the kinds of things they did tonight – they will be a huge problem for other teams.
– There was a nice tic-tac-toe goal from Cody Glass to Kevin Hayes through Acciari in the first half. I could see this being a pretty decent fourth line for the Penguins, at least until Lizotte returns. I like what I’ve seen from each of them.
However, Acciari undoubtedly stood out. If the average hockey fan only watches their preseason, you would think they are aiming for a Rocket Richard Trophy this season.
But even if he doesn’t go that far, him showing ability on the offensive side of the puck would be a huge development for the Penguins.
“When he has the ability to produce offensively and compete offensively like he has throughout this preseason, it’s a welcome addition to his overall game,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “Certainly he’s capable. He’s had a 20-goal season in the past. He’s capable of scoring goals, we hope if we put him on the wing a little bit it will give him an opportunity to generate a little potential. no more offense.”
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-I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but Rakell is locked up.
He’s everywhere this preseason, and you can see he’s got his mojo – and his ridiculous shooting – back in return. I fully believe that if there is one winger on this roster that can make up a large portion of the goal deficit left by the loss of Jake Guentzel, it’s Rakell.
He saw time on Crosby’s line in the third period tonight. While it’s probably fair for him to see time with 87 in the preseason, it could be an option for the Penguins if Rust isn’t ready to start the season.
– The power play scored again this evening. And here are the final preseason numbers for the Penguins power play:
With one period left, the Pens are 6-for-20 on PP this preseason (30.0%).
– Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) October 5, 2024
Look, preseason is preseason. However, the Penguins might have something here.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
– Harrison Brunicke played another solid game for the Penguins.
He took a penalty in the first half after rejoining, and he was active in all three zones again tonight. He also played well in front of the net and managed to keep a few pucks out of danger in the defensive zone, and he had a nice hold towards the end of the second period in the offensive zone.
Brunicke will likely head to junior hockey after tonight, but he deserves all the looks he’s received this preseason. If Erik Karlsson is healthy, it’s hard to see Brunicke getting a nine-game tryout. And things seem to be moving in this direction.
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– Blomqvist made a superb save during a shorthanded duel with 4:14 remaining in the first period. He looked a little shaky early in the game, but he settled in once the Penguins were able to get the offensive attack going in this game.
Overall, he had a pretty promising preseason. I can’t wait to see what he does behind Jarry when the regular season begins, assuming Alex Nedeljkovic goes on injured reserve.
– There was a sudden blue line abandonment by Jack St. Ivany in the offensive zone as the Penguins dominated the game in the second period, leading to a Kent Johnson breakaway to make it 5-3 .
I liked the St. Ivany game for most of the preseason, and he made some great reads after that one. He was paired alongside Marcus Pettersson tonight.
I don’t think it’s his best effort, but he’s been very good in camp and is probably a lock to make the roster despite his waiver exemption.
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– I would venture to assume that the final workforce reductions will be announced by the end of the weekend, and perhaps as early as tomorrow.
Some of the performances this training camp will result in some of the toughest roster decisions in recent memory. Injuries could definitely play a role here, but there’s such a fine line between who stays and who goes this time around,
McGroarty deserves a place. Valtteri Puustinen deserved a place. Puljujarvi is anything but a lock. Brunicke earned this nine-game trial. Ponomarev really impressed the coaching staff. Glass and Anthony Beauvillier also showed up in the latter stages of camp.
Waivers will likely play the most important role in this process, whether they are granted or not. Regardless, Penguins fans should be excited about the legitimate roster depth this season. There will be injuries, there will be performance-related call-ups, and so, there will be a lot of moving parts this season.
Fasten your seat belt. Metro will be a tough division this season, but a lot seems to be improving for the Penguins. It will be fun to see how this all develops.
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