Penguins/NHL
Robert Thomas scored a power play goal in overtime and the surging St. Louis Blues have won 11 straight and emerging as a team you don’t want to see in the first round.
Among the Takeaways for the Penguins in the 5-4 Overtime Loss:
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|---|---|
| 1. Rutger McGroarty | 2 Point Night for McGroarty, including Game-tying goal with 25 seconds remaining. McGroarty was a major force along the wall and below the dots. Very encouraging two games |
| 2. Conor Timmins | Penguins might have something here. Timmins was the best defensemen on the ice again for Pittsburgh. Dominated possession with Timmins on the ice with 26 shot attempts to 9 against during 5 vs 5 play. |
| 3. Bryan Rust | Goal (27), Assist, Great Possession #’s, including team-best 88% High Danger For%. |
| 4. Sidney Crosby | Great setup on Rakell’s power play marker to cut Blues lead to 4-3, showing patience and waiting for an opening. Crosby line drove play all game. |
| 5. Rickard Rakell | Goal (33), Assist, 5 SOG | It was a struggle 5 vs 5 at the center position in driving possession but give Rakell an opening he’s going to bury it as he did to spark Pittsburgh’s rally. Goal away from tying career-high. |
: Two Games in a Couple Things are evident: Rutger McGroarty at this stage is much more physically developed than Ville Koivunen. Koivunen getting a little stronger, little more acceleration with his skating over the summer is going to do wonders. As members of the Penguins organization see David Perron type traits in KTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
–Pittsburgh had trade discussions with the St. Louis just after the New Year on a possible seismic deal that centered around To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
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The Ugly for the Penguins 
— Kris Letang | A really tough night defensively in what continues to be a precursor for next season against teams like the Blues that can really come at you with speed through the neutral zone. You just have to start the transition of treating Letang as a No. 3 right pairing defensemen in 2025/2026. I just don’t think it will ever happen under Mike Sullivan………..
– Tristan Jarry | 14 Saves on 19 Shots (.737 SV%). The initial plan coming into the week was Jarry to get two tough matchups To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Penguins-Blackhawks Takeaways: Different Styles of Koivunen/McGroarty adds new wrinkle to Top-6