The Pittsburgh Penguins second line is already showing signs of success in the early stages of the season.
Jason Zucker struggled for a couple of seasons during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but in the final year of his contract, something finally clicked.
Playing alongside Evgeni Malkin on the Penguins’ second line in 2022-23, Zucker posted the second best year of his career with 48 points (27G-21A) in 78 games.
Since it was the last year of his contract, the team decided they would go in a different, more consistent direction.
The first big move made by new president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas, was the acquire Reilly Smith from the Stanley Cup winning Vegas Golden Knights.
Pretty much right away, it was noted that Smith would slot in on the second line with Malkin for the 2023-24 season.
Just three games into the year, and it’s obvious Smith and Malkin have already found a connection.
Smith recorded his first two goals in a Penguins uniform in back-to-back night, both assisted by Malkin who is taking an early lead on the team in points with six.
“He does such a good job finding open space,” Smith said about his new partner. “He is able to beat his back checker up the ice a lot and I think that creates a lot of rushes.”
While Smith is settling in nicely to his new role, Malkin has been on another level to start the season.
Malkin’s six points don’t just lead the Penguins, but are tied for the most in the NHL; it’s early, but that’s an impressive start considering the first few games put up by Auston Matthews.
“I feel good, we have a great line,” Malkin said. “I want to win. I want to play hard… we don’t like to miss the playoffs.”
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan noted that they chose Smith for a reason when it came time to look for a Zucker replacement.
“We were hoping that pair could find something,” Sullivan said. “That’s one of the reasons we put them together right from the first day. We felt with Reilly’s hockey I.Q… he has the ability to read off of Geno.”
It is early in the season, but the early returns from the line of Malkin, Smith, and Rickard Rakell on the other wing have been game changing and their chemistry is noticeable.
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