As the preseason finally draws to a close, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office will have some very difficult decisions to make heading into the weekend.
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On Friday, the Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 7-3, in their final preseason game. Lars Eller and Noel Acciari each scored twice, and Rutger McGroarty, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Rickard Rakell (PPG) added goals for the Penguins as well.
There was a lot to like about this performance, particularly from some of the guys seemingly fighting for their shot at a roster spot.
Here are my observations and reactions from this game:
– The Penguins’ third line was easily 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 nasty move on a breakaway after a beautiful long pass from Eller. Then, McGroarty scored his first preseason goal from the slot off a perfect feed from Puljujarvi.
Eller added a tally later off the rush, and he scored again in the third period after McGroarty made a spectacular diving pass to Puljujarvi, who set him up in front of the net.
The line combined for four even-strength goals and ten points.
All three forwards were masterful tonight. I know the Penguins have some tough decisions to make, but Puljujarvi has to be a lock at this point.
And honestly? I can’t see how you come away from this game and send McGroarty to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Given his waiver exemption, that’s his likely destination, barring injuries. But he deserves a spot on this roster. He’s NHL-ready now, and he showed that tonight.
If this can be the Penguins’ third line during the regular season – and they do the kinds of things they did tonight – they’re going to be a massive problem for other teams.
– There was a nice tic-tac-toe goal from Cody Glass to Kevin Hayes to Acciari in the first period. I could see that being a pretty decent fourth line for the Penguins, at least until Lizotte returns. I like what I’ve seen from all of them.
However, Acciari has, no doubt, been the standout. If the average hockey fan looks solely at his preseason, one might think he’s bidding for a Rocket Richard Trophy this season.
But even if he doesn’t take it that far, him showing capability on the offensive side of the puck would be a huge development for the Penguins.
“When he has the ability to produce offensively and chip in offensively like he has throughout the course of this preseason, that’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’re hoping maybe if we get him on the wing a little bit, it might give him an opportunity to generate a little bit more offense.”
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– I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, but Rakell is locked in.
He’s everywhere this preseason, and you can see that he’s got his mojo – and his ridiculous shot – back. I fully believe that if there’s one winger on this roster who can make up for much of the goal-scoring deficit left by the loss of Jake Guentzel, it’s Rakell.
He saw some time on Crosby’s line in the third period tonight. While this is likely just for him to see some time with 87 in the preseason, it may be an option for the Penguins if Rust is not ready to start the season.
– The power play scored yet again tonight. And these are the final numbers on the preseason for the Penguins’ power play:
With one period to go, Pens are 6-for-20 on the PP this preseason (30.0%).
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) October 5, 2024
Look, the preseason is the preseason. However, the Penguins might actually have something here.
And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
– Harrison Brunicke played another solid game for the Penguins.
He drew a penalty in the first period as a result of joining the rush, and he was active in all three zones again tonight. He also played well at the net-front and swiped a few pucks out of danger in the defensive zone, and he had a nice keep toward the end of the second period in the offensive zone.
Brunicke is likely headed for junior hockey after tonight, but he deserves every look he’s gotten this preseason. If Erik Karlsson is healthy, it’s hard to see Brunicke getting the nine-game trial. And things appear to be trending in that direction.
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– Blomqvist made a great save on a shorthanded two-on-one with 4:14 remaining in the first. He looked a little shaky to start the game, but he settled in once the Penguins managed to get the offensive attack going in this game.
Overall, he’s had a pretty promising preseason. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does behind Jarry at the beginning of the regular season, assuming Alex Nedeljkovic goes on injured reserve.
– There was a rough blue line giveaway by Jack St. Ivany in the offensive zone while the Penguins were dominating the game in the second period, which led to a breakaway for Kent Johnson to make the score 5-3.
I’ve liked St. Ivany’s game for most of the preseason, and he did make some nice reads after that one. He was paired alongside Marcus Pettersson tonight.
I don’t think this was his best effort, but he’s been really good in camp and is probably a lock to make the roster despite his waiver exemption.
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– I would venture to guess that final roster cuts will be announced by the end of the weekend, and possibly, as soon as tomorrow.
Some of the performances this training camp will make for some of the toughest roster decisions in recent memory. Injuries could definitely play a factor here, but there is such a fine line between who stays and who goes this time around,
McGroarty deserves a spot. Valtteri Puustinen has earned a spot. Puljujarvi is all but a lock. Brunicke has earned that nine-game trial. Ponomarev really impressed the coaching staff. Glass and Anthony Beauvillier have shown up in the later stages of camp as well.
Waivers will likely play the biggest part in this process, whether they should or not. Regardless, Penguins’ fans should be excited about the legitimate depth that the roster has this season. There will be injuries, there will be performance-related call-ups, and therefore, there will be a lot of moving parts this season.
Buckle up. The Metro will be a tough division this season, but a lot of things seem to be trending up for the Penguins. It will be fun to see how it all shakes out.
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