Valtteri Puustinen could be the key to turning the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup around.

It has been a rocky season to this point for the Pittsburgh Penguins. So much so that their general manager just had to hold a press conference to quiet the noise surrounding the job security of his head coach. But Kyle Dubas also used Monday's meeting with the media to send a message.

Dubas took responsibility for any current or future lackluster performance from the Penguins' depth and made it known that there is an opportunity out there for players to make their mark on this lineup. One player amid his first opportunity this season is Valtteri Puustinen.

Puustinen suited up for the Penguins on Friday to play his second career game at the NHL level. His first came 637 days prior in a victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022. In both appearances, Puustinen registered a secondary assist.

This opportunity for Puustinen comes at a pivotal time in the Penguins season. They've lost four straight and are missing massive pieces on the right wing. Fortunately, Rickard Rakell and newcomer Jesse Puljujarvi seem to be on track to return in the coming week or so.

Until then, Puustinen and Drew O'Connor will play alongside future Hall of Fame centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. O'Connor has solidified his spot in the NHL lineup with his performance thus far, but Puustinen is fighting for a chance to stick at the top level.

He joins the Penguins struggling second line in hopes that his offensive ability at the AHL level, 111 points (49G-62A) in 163 games since 2021, can translate and revive Malkin and Reilly Smith's early success. Puustinen will also get a crack at the top power play, a unit looking for its first goal in over a calendar month.

If Puustinen can take advantage of these opportunities and stick at the NHL level, the Penguins' depth will be much better for it. Rakell can play with Crosby on the top forward line once he returns, leaving O'Connor and Puljujarvi to flank Lars Eller on the third line.

Dubas is looking for players to run with their opportunities, and Puustinen is in a position to change the entire outlook of the Penguins forward lineup with his performance.

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