The Pittsburgh Penguins have just about completely changed their forward groups.
PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the ropes with little hope of making a playoff push. With little room left for error, the Penguins are throwing everything they can against the wall, hoping it sticks.
Their lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets more than shows their desperation. Almost all four of the Penguins’ forward lines see some sort of change.
Desperation, injuries to Noel Acciari and Jansen Harkins, and Matthew Phillips getting claimed off waivers have brought these changes to the forward lines.
Lars Eller – Sidney Crosby – Rickard Rakell
Losing two of your three first-line forwards will force change, but Lars Eller is getting promoted to the third line. Eller is also bumping from center to wing to fit alongside Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell.
Reilly Smith – Evgeni Malkin – Valtteri Puustinen
This is the only Penguins forward line that has not been changed since their brutal loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Reilly Smith has been a hot topic on the trade market as he plays his role on Evgeni Malkin’s wing.
Jesse Puljujarvi – Drew O’Connor – Emil Bemstrom
Drew O’Connor played a few games on the first line alongside Crosby but will now revert to center against the Blue Jackets. O’Connor hasn’t played center at the NHL level in a while but is familiar with the position.
Jesse Puljujarvi will also see his number called to return to the lineup after a handful of healthy scratches.
Jonathan Gruden – Joona Koppanen – Jeff Carter
Jonathan Gruden scored his first career goal during the Western Conference road trip while playing on the third line, but that still stands as his only career shot on goal. He isn’t going to provide a lightning bolt of offense any time soon.
Acciari and Harkins are both out, providing a chance for Joona Koppanen to return to the NHL lineup. He’s spent most of the season in the American Hockey League, with only three games with the Penguins in 2023-24. He has no points in those games.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins