Five Penguins Storylines to Watch in 2024
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a lot to look forward to in 2024.
As we approach the final weekend of 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins are within striking distance of regaining playoff positioning. An impressive back end of December (5-1-1 in their last seven) has brought them within five points of second place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Penguins have two games remaining in 2023, but let's look past this weekend into what should be an eventful beginning to 2024.
5. Wingers Returning From Injury
The first storyline that should play out in 2024 is the return of Bryan Rust to the Penguins lineup. Rust has missed the last eight games dealing with an upper-body injury. The right winger was one of the Penguins' best players this season before his injury, scoring 20 points (10G - 10A) in 22 games.
Rust joined his Penguins teammates on the ice for practice this afternoon at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for the first time since December 6th. He could be on track to return to game action on January 2nd against the Washington Capitals.
Meanwhile, another winger is making strides in his recovery from offseason hip surgery. Jesse Puljujarvi joined the Penguins earlier this month on a free-agent tryout deal. The 25-year-old Swede is looking for a contract and could fit well with Pittsburgh's bottom six. He doesn't have a full-time contract yet, but his presence remains as the Penguins continue working on their forward depth.
4. Will The Goaltending Sustain This Level Of Performance?
One of the few constants this season for the Penguins has been the performance of their goaltenders. Tristan Jarry has led the way, stopping 91.6% of the shots he has faced and leading the NHL in shutouts with four.
However, New Year's has always been a delineation point for Jarry. His career save percentage from October through December is an impressive .923, but from January to March, it drops to .906.
This difference this year could be who he has behind him. Casey DeSmith's volatile performances forced Tristan Jarry to carry the brunt of the starting load the past three seasons. The emergence of Alex Nedeljkovic this season, 5-2-2 with a .917 save percentage, should allow Jarry to remain rested and healthy more than in past years.
3. How Long Can Kyle Dubas Remain Patient?
Earlier this month, Kyle Dubas publicly circled the NHL All-Star break as the point at which he should have a "full evaluation" of where this Penguins team is at. He may not get that luxury with January made of a stretch of games against teams in the same situation as the Penguins.
The Pens will face seven opponents in January that sit above them in the Eastern Conference standings. That provides the Penguins plenty of opportunity to move up in the standings but could also sink them if they can't string together wins this month.
All eyes will be on Kyle Dubas as he decides which direction to go with his first trade deadline season as the leading man in the Penguins front office.
2. Jaromir Jagr's Jersey Retirement
It may have nothing to do with the Penguins on the ice, but we are 51 days away from 51-year-old Jaromir Jagr's jersey retirement at PPG Paints Arena. It should be an entertaining game as the Los Angeles Kings travel to Pittsburgh seeking revenge after losing to the Penguins 4-3 in overtime back in November.
Jagr's 68 will become the third number to be retired by the Penguins, joining Mario Lemieux's 66 and Michele Briere's 21.
1. Sidney Crosby's Race For His Third Hart Trophy
Sidney Crosby has carried the Pittsburgh Penguins through the early portion of this season. His 35 points (19G-16A) rank second on the team behind linemate Jake Guentzel's 38. Crosby is tied with Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, and Jeff Carter for the team lead in game-winning-goals with two.
Crosby's impact on the Penguins extends beyond his point production, often leading the way along the boards in puck battles and leading the league in faceoff wins with 317. The closest player to Crosby in that category is Jordan Staal at 293.
According to Action Network, the Penguins captain holds the ninth-best odds to take home the Hart Trophy.
The last time Crosby won the Hart Trophy was in 2013-14 when his 104 points helped the Penguins to the top seed in the Metropolitan Division. Ten years later, Crosby continues to be the heartbeat of the Penguins.
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