While rumblings surrounding Evgeni Malkin is he has a chip To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!Sidney Crosby leaving Thursday’s game was out of an To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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Erik Karlsson is not only one of the best defensemen in the game right now, he has hit peak Erik Karlsson level of being Must-See-TV nearly every shift. Thursday night was just another marvelous game from Karlsson where’s controlling the play at every instance. The puck is just following him around…….

A major development for the Penguins down stretch was always going to be can Rickard Rakell find another level and get back to last year’s level. Well, he’s found it……..

Fascinating goaltending decision today. The Penguins have been so locked into a rotation and believe this is their best route to compete and even in the postseason. However, Stuart Skinner hasn’t been anything special but gives the group a little more swag and a bump in key moments than Arturs Silovs brings to the table. Who they decide on to go with today vs Monday’s start vs the Islanders will be telling for the group……

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We’re past the players performing above expectations stage of the season where we can’t be critical of certain players. Parker Wotherspoon has been a pleasant surprise for the Penguins this season but we’re seeing the Penguins defensively over the last handful of games get exposed beyond the obvious talent issues.

Over pursuing has reappeared at the wrong time of the season, it’s been an Achilles heel on the PK this week, most notable from Wotherspoon where he needs to tune up his gaps.

Then there’s Kris Letang who we’re at the stage of his career where the light bulb just isn’t clicking for him that his talent alone can’t make up for mental mistakes anymore.

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