These Pittsburgh Penguins will be critical to success without Jake Guentzel.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to be without key forward Jake Guentzel for at least four weeks after being placed on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. While Guentzel’s future in Pittsburgh remains a question, the Penguins aren’t giving up on their fight for the postseason.
Sidney Crosby will take the Penguins under his wing and carry them as far as he can, but he can’t do it alone. The Penguins have gotten great work from Crosby, Guentzel, and the goaltending this season, leaving so much to be desired all year.
With Guentzel out, Crosby will need key faces around him to step up and become difference-makers to keep the playoff dream alive.
Evgeni Malkin
It’s been a rough 2024 so far for Evgeni Malkin, with only two goals and 10 total points in 16 games played. He may be starting to show signs of his age, but that doesn’t mean Malkin’s tank is empty.
Malkin has said before that he still believes in himself and the Penguins as a team that they can find success and push for the playoffs. Without Guentzel, he’ll need to be one of the key names to find another level and show why the Penguins are still a threat.
Reilly Smith
Malkin has struggled recently, but it’s been nothing compared to the poor stretch from Reilly Smith. With just two goals since late December, Smith has been closer to an anchor in the Penguins' lineup than a useful piece.
Both of Smith’s goals have come in the last four games and perhaps are just a glimpse of what’s to come. Guentzel leaving the lineup opens opportunities for guys to step up and wake up and find what made them so desirable in the first place.
Even if the Penguins decide to deal Smith ahead of the trade deadline, they’ll need him to find a spark and make him an attractive option for buying teams.
Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson has been a perfectly steady defenseman in his first season with the Penguins. There have been struggles, but the offensive production has been consistent. Maybe it’s not living up to the potential, but 100 points was out of the question, and even a down season to Karlsson’s standards would be the most offense the Penguins franchise has seen from a defenseman since the 1990s.
That being said, Karlsson needs to find a new level to help make up for some of the offense lost by Guentzel. Whether it be finally waking up the power play or becoming a smarter blueliner in the attacking zone, the Penguins need Karlsson to find a rhythm.
Karlsson has had a couple of lengthy point streaks, but this time around, it needs to be something special.
Valtteri Puustinen
One of the three recalls made to fill the space left by Guentzel was Valtteri Puustinen. Expectations were high for Puustinen, but a new chance at the NHL lineup could lead to something great.
The Penguins will be without a critical offensive threat during a crucial portion of the season. It’s also possible Guentzel never returns to the ice as a member of the Penguins, but either way, he’ll need teammates to step up in his absence.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Penguins Could Still Trade Jake Guentzel
It's Sidney Crosby Time for Penguins
Penguins Start Strong Without Jake Guentzel
Penguins Make Significant Lineup Changes After Jake Guentzel Injury
Penguins Place Jake Guentzel on Injured Reserve
- undefined
- undefined