The Pittsburgh Penguins have finally found a winning combination for their third line.
PITTSBURGH – For most of the 2023-24 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled to find consistency with their third forward line. Lars Eller has been the usual third-line center all season but has seen a revolving door on both wings.
With 15 games remaining and the Penguins still in the playoff hunt, a perfect combination may have finally been found. Eller is still riding as the 3C, but his wingers are a pair of forwards who have seen extended looks in the top six.
Reilly Smith hasn’t had a memorable year and struggled alongside Evgeni Malkin, but he has suddenly found some success on the third line. Smith has points in three straight games, including a goal and an assist against the Detroit Red Wings.
Valtteri Puustinen has impressed in his first extended look in the NHL, but his scoring touch has yet to be discovered. With goals in back-to-back games, it seems pretty likely he’s found that confidence and knack for big-time goals.
Add those two to Eller, who has had a steady season with 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points, and there is a winning combination.
The trio of Smith, Eller, and Puustinen combined for six points against the Red Wings, with each securing a goal and an assist. As Penguins color commentator Colby Armstrong put it, “If you’re not falling in love with this line, I don’t know if you’ll ever fall in love.”
The Penguins’ playoff hopes are on thin ice, but the odds aren’t at zero. Finding offense within the bottom six will give the Penguins a chance to roll all four lines, which is huge for a push toward the postseason.
Eller, Smith, and Puustinen have all spoken glowingly of each other, and they appear ready to be vital pieces of the puzzle down the final stretch.
“I think we’re reading well of each other,” Eller said. “We can anticipate off each other. Everybody can pass, everybody can shoot. We have all the different attributes to make it a good line.”
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