Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Desperation Win

usatsi_22064874_168388034_lowres

PITTSBURGH– The 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the most enigmatic teams of the Sidney Crosby era. After wins over playoff teams like Boston, Philadelphia, and Seattle, the Penguins played a terrible third period in Vegas followed by their worst game of the season in Arizona.

The Penguins have pushed president and general manager Kyle Dubas to delay making any moves, admitting he still needs more time to fully evaluate the direction the team is heading. With the trade deadline just over five weeks away, they are running out of time to jostle themselves into a playoff position.

Their next test comes against the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Florida Panthers. Here’s what to watch for the as the Penguins welcome the Panthers to PPG Paints Arena.

1. Line Changes Providing Spark

After two disappointing losses, head coach Mike Sullivan shuffled just about all of his forward lines. He reunited Bryan Rust with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the first line, putting one of the league’s best possession and chance generating lines back together.

The second line, desperate for a spark, will try recent call-up Colin White playing on the wing with Drew O’Connor and Evgeni Malkin. And in an effort to spread out the offense, Rickard Rakell is expected to skate with Lars Eller and Valtteri Puustinen on the third line. Will these new look lines provide the spark Sullivan is hoping for?

2. Florida’s Forward Depth

Perhaps the biggest contributing factor to the Panther’s success since the 2023 playoffs is their forward depth. Led by one of the most talented two-way forwards in the league, Aleksander Barkov, the Cats currently have four forwards averaging a point per game or higher.

Beyond that, they have an incredible supporting cast. Players like Evan Rodrigues, Anton Lundell, Sam Bennett, and Eetu Luostarinen all play pivotal and revolving roles in the middle six. Even in the off-chance one of their best players turns in a poor performance, they have more than enough to overcome it. The Penguins won’t have a shift to let up against a deeply loaded team, and whether they will be able to hang or not remains to be seen.

3. Pens Struggling In New Year

2024 has not been kind to the Penguins, as they’ve been a sub .500 team in the month of January. They battled back from a poor October to post winning records in November and December but are dangerously close to failing to do so this month. A win against the Panthers would bring the Pens to 4-4-2 with only one more contest left in January. A loss guarantees they’ll have their second month with a losing record this season.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

Penguins Make AHL Trade With Wild

Penguins Championship Window Closing Quickly

Penguins Need Trades to Fix Lineup

Insider Slams Penguins Playoff Hopes

Analyst Suggests Penguins Part Ways With Sidney Crosby