The Pens beat the Preds in OT on Thursday night in a game that, if they had decided to play before the puck dropped and not halfway through the 2nd period, they should have crushed it. But hey, This is the NEW Penguin hockey and if you don’t love it then… tough shit. Rust, who is LAVA right now, threw in another pair, including the game winner. Sid finally got off the schnide and scored a gola. And LO AND BEHOLD Carl’sSon finally scored a meaningful gola, bringing his ROI for 2024-25 to $3,833,333.33 / gola. Yeah, he’s worth errey penny. lol
The Devil’s in the Details
Hey there sports fans… this is POJagoff coming to you with your Gameday post. I don’t know what I’m talking about, so feel free to skip to the comments.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in action tonight against the New Jersey Devils, which feels less like a hockey game and more like a therapy session where the Devils are the therapist repeatedly asking, “So, how does it feel to lose again?” The Devils are younger, faster, and have a core of players that scream “potential dynasty,” while the Penguins have… well, memories of that back-to-back and the search for the 3 peat. Don’t worry though, memories last forever—just like Kris Letang’s inexplicable ability to turnover the puck anywhere on the ice.
The Devils boast the 4th-best power play in the league, converting at over 26%. If the Penguins decide to take their usual lazy penalties, expect the Devils to cash in faster than Nutting on a decent player
The Pens’ penalty kill has been as effective as a screen door on a submarine lately, so strap in!
As for the Penguins’ recent play? Let’s put it this way: if you’re looking for consistency, you’ll find it in their inability to close out games. Whether it’s giving up leads late, losing OT games, being allergic to shooting on the power play, or simply making fourth-line grinders look like All-Stars, the Pens have been serving up disappointment with a side of confusion. Sidney Crosby continues to age like a fine wine, but unfortunately, the rest of the roster seems to be drinking boxed Franzia.
Rust is skating like he’s late for a flight out of Pittsburgh, and frankly, who could blame him?
Keep an eye on Bryan Rust. Rusty Trombone has been one of the bright spots for the Penguins this season, quietly stacking up goals and playing with the kind of energy that makes you wonder if he knows something the rest of the team doesn’t. If the Pens are going to avoid total embarrassment tonight, Rust will need to keep buzzing like the caffeinated Energizer Bunny he sometimes becomes.
And there’s Jack Hughes, making defensemen look like extras in a poorly choreographed ballet.
On the Devils’ side, keep an eye on Jack Hughes. Hughes has been putting up numbers this season like he’s playing a video game on rookie mode. If the Penguins defense decides to give him space (which, spoiler alert: they probably will), expect him to put on a show. He’s been a point machine this year and could easily skate circles around the Penguins’ penalty kill—which, coincidentally, has all the structure of a toddler’s block tower.
This one could get ugly, folks. Or maybe it’ll just be a slow, painful decline—much like my career choices. Either way, we’re here for it.
The Pens need to find some life tonight or risk another painful performance. If all else fails, maybe Evgeni Malkin can just punch someone in frustration and call it a day. Puck drops at 7 PM, so grab your choice of hooch (Hellooooooo Mr. Jack Daniels), settle in, and prepare for either glorious redemption or the continuation of a path to a new low in Pittsburgh sports fandom.
Might actually wear the jersey for the day for this one. LET’S GO PENS …or whatever.
