Apr 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period in game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6c344457-62e7-4d9e-8fb3-41e6fc5e8055.jpeg] Apr 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period in game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season. But a whole lot of ex-Penguins are. Prior to the start of the postseason, we provided you with a comprehensive guide [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/your-guide-to-ex-penguins-in-the-2025-nhl-playoffs] to former Penguins playing for their respective teams in the playoffs, which excluded only the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/] and the Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] - meaning there are no teams remaining in the second round who do not have an ex-Penguin on their roster. Here is an update on how each former Penguin is faring through one round: Your Guide To Ex-Penguins In The 2025 NHL Playoffs [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ee4559bb-a646-4b01-b4b5-30ee851dad5a.jpeg] Your Guide To Ex-Penguins In The 2025 NHL Playoffs The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/your-guide-to-ex-penguins-in-the-2025-nhl-playoffs] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAROLINA HURRICANES - F Jordan Staal: The 36-year-old, 6-foot-4 centerman certainly isn't the player he used to be for the first six seasons of his NHL career in Pittsburgh, when he was one of the league's premier two-way third-line centers. He has no points and is a minus-1 through five postseason games so far, but he's eating tough minutes on the penalty kill and in defensive zone starts, proving that he's still a valuable bottom-six forward for a playoff run. - F Mark Jankowski: Jankowski - with the Penguins for only one season in 2020-21, registering four goals and 11 points in 45 games - was a healthy scratch for the first three games of the Hurricanes' first-round series against the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/]. But he broke the lineup in the last two games to close out the series, earning an assist in the series-clinching Game 5. DALLAS STARS - G Casey DeSmith: DeSmith - dealt in the summer of 2023 to the Montreal Canadiens as part of the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/erik-karlsson-biggest-trade-pittsburgh-penguins-history] - has only appeared in one game for the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] this postseason as their backup goaltender. Starting netminder Jake Oettinger was pulled during Game 4 against the Avalanche after allowing three goals, and DeSmith relieved him, allowing one goal on 14 shots. The Stars dropped Game 4, 4-0, before going on to win the series in seven games - and in dramatic fashion. - D Cody Ceci: Ceci has gotten off to a pretty good start in the playoffs, heading into the second round with three assists in seven games and even in the plus/minus department. He spent one season in Pittsburgh in 2020-21 before moving on to the Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] as a free agent, where he was for three seasons. - F Mikael Granlund: Granlund - infamously acquired by the Penguins and former GM Ron Hextall at the 2023 NHL trade deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-acquiring-mikael-granlund-years-making] - has been a solid depth piece for the Stars so far in the playoffs, recording a goal and two points. Apr 28, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and center Mikael Granlund (64) celebrate the win over the Colorado Avalanche in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2eb52955-7060-4d61-b7cb-1493f2b26235.jpeg] Apr 28, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and center Mikael Granlund (64) celebrate the win over the Colorado Avalanche in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) EDMONTON OILERS - F Kasperi Kapanen: Kapanen - who played parts of three seasons with the Penguins before getting waived [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-lose-kasperi-kapanen-waivers] in February 2023 - has yet to appear in a playoff game for the Oilers this postseason. FLORIDA PANTHERS - F Evan Rodrigues: Rodrigues has seen time on Florida's second line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, and he registered one assist in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning]. He spent parts of three seasons on Pittsburgh's NHL roster from 2019-22 and was a solid depth piece, and his lineup and special teams versatility is something that the Panthers have found value in as well. - D Dmitry Kulikov: The 34-year-old veteran defenseman only played in six games with the Penguins post-trade deadline in 2023 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-acquire-dmitry-kulikov-anaheim-ducks] because of injury, but he has been solid for the Panthers so far on their second pairing, tandeming with Niko Mikkola and recording two assists in the five-game first-round series against Tampa. Apr 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) controls the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period during game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6099e50a-f1ef-41d8-a5d1-14bca9d28be7.jpeg] Apr 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) controls the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period during game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) MINNESOTA WILD - F Frederick Gaudreau: Gaudreau, 31, spent parts of one season in 2020-21 with the Penguins. He didn't factor on the scoresheet in Minnesota's first-round loss to the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/], but he was a plus-2 and played important minutes on the penalty kill. - F Vinnie Hinostroza: Hinostroza appeared in only one game for the Wild during their first and only round [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-defeat-minnesota-wild-3-2-in-game-6-win-series-to-advance-to-seond-round] of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, recording no points and logging 11:57 of ice time. He was with the Penguins' organization in 2023-24 and played in only 14 games at the NHL level. - G Marc-Andre Fleury: Beloved to the Pittsburgh faithful [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/crosby-fleury-exchange-epic-pranks-during-weekend-in-raleigh-for-what-may-be-the-final-time] and forever a legend, Fleury did appear in Game 5, relieving a sick Filip Gustavsson in the third period and for the overtime period. He surrendered one goal on seven Vegas shots, which was, unfortunately, the overtime winner by Brett Howden. Fleury announced his retirement following Minnesota's first-round exit, and he got a warm reception in his final NHL appearance [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/flowers-for-flower-penguins-goaltending-legend-earns-warm-reception-in-final-nhl-appearance]. Flowers For 'Flower': Penguins Goaltending Legend Earns Warm Reception In Final NHL Appearance [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/71ea349d-0536-4034-be92-4fbf4df0f298.jpeg] Flowers For 'Flower': Penguins Goaltending Legend Earns Warm Reception In Final NHL Appearance On Thursday, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild">Minnesota Wild</a> suffered a <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/minnesota-wild-eliminated-in-first-round-against-the-vegas-golden-knights-in-six-games">heartbreaking 3-2 loss in Game 6</a> to the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/">Vegas Golden Knights</a>, eliminating them in the first round for the eighth time in their last 10 postseason appearances. <br> [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/flowers-for-flower-penguins-goaltending-legend-earns-warm-reception-in-final-nhl-appearance] MONTREAL CANADIENS - D Mike Matheson: The Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] were simply too much for Matheson and the Habs in the first round this season, as they were eliminated in five games. Matheson produced one assist in those five games, and he plans to join Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/sidney-crosby-named-to-team-canadas-roster-for-world-championships] in representing Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-mike-matheson-on-staying-grounded-and-the-world-championship] this week. NEW JERSEY DEVILS - F Cody Glass: Glass was brought to Pittsburgh from the Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] last summer and was dealt to the Devils at the trade deadline. He was on the wrong side of an unfortunate slash [https://x.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1914072256684187683] in a bad spot by his own goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, during Game One, but he returned for the rest of the series. He registered no points through five games and was a minus-2. - F Daniel Sprong: Sprong was drafted in the second round (46th overall) by Pittsburgh in 2015, never panning out and getting traded to the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/] during the 2018-19 season. He only appeared in Game One during the playoffs this season and was a non-factor, leading to a healthy scratch for the remainder of the series against the Hurricanes. - D Brian Dumoulin: 'Dumo' - as he did during his 10-year Pittsburgh tenure from 2013-23 - played heavy shutdown minutes for the Devils down the stretch and during the first round on the top pairing alongside Brett Pesce. He didn't register any points but proved valuable in his role, which may earn him a contract extension this summer as a pending-UFA [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/ducks-trade-brian-dumoulin-to-the-new-jersey-devils]. OTTAWA SENATORS - F David Perron: Perron was a factor in the Senators' first-round series loss against the Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/ottawa-senators-season-ends-with-4-2-game-6-loss-to-toronto], registering two goals and three points in six games on Ottawa's second line. He with the Penguins for parts of two seasons from 2014-16 before being dealt to the Ducks, recording 16 goals and 38 points in 86 total games with Pittsburgh. ST. LOUIS BLUES - F Oskar Sundqvist: As the third-line center for the Blues in their seven-game first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/], Sundqvist - who played in 28 total games for the Penguins from 2015-17 - recorded a goal and two points and played in some critical situations for St. Louis. The Blues lost in dramatic fashion during double overtime in Game 7 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/latest-news/jets-complete-comeback-to-win-series-in-double-overtime-vs-blues]. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING - F Jake Guentzel: Guentzel - dealt from the Penguins to the Hurricanes as a rental at last season's trade deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/final-details-emerge-pittsburgh-penguins-jake-guentzel-trade] - was his usual playoff self production-wise for the Bolts during round one, putting up three goals and six points in five games. However, he was also a minus-3 and made some key mistakes in his own zone that led to goals against by the Panthers, who won the series in five games. Apr 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) defends Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/68945c01-7470-4a52-9f06-411073c0d026.jpeg] Apr 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) defends Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS - G Matt Murray: Murray, 30, won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017, all while still technically being a rookie. Murray has not yet appeared in a playoff game this postseason, and given that he's the third-string goaltender behind Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, it seems unlikely that he'll see any action in these playoffs. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS - F Tanner Pearson: Pearson - who came to Pittsburgh for one season during 2018-19 when forward Carl Hagelin was sent to Los Angeles - appeared in only three of the six games during Vegas's first-round series against the Wild, recording one assist. - F Reilly Smith: Smith got what he wanted since being traded to Pittsburgh from Vegas prior to the 2023-24 season when he was dealt back to Vegas from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/rangers-trade-reilly-smith-to-golden-knights-for-prospect-and-draft-pick]. In six games on Vegas's third line during the first round, he put up a goal and two points - with his goal being a shorthanded beauty during Game 3. WASHINGTON CAPITALS - F Lars Eller: Eller - dealt from the Penguins to the Capitals in November [https://thehockeynews.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-trade-lars-eller-to-washington-capitals-one-day-after-7-1-loss] - showed his value as a third-line center in the first round against the Canadiens. He played difficult minutes on the penalty kill and in defensive zone starts, contributing one assist on the scoresheet as well. - F Anthony Beauvillier: Of all the players on this list, Beauvillier has, arguably, made the biggest impact. He has skated on Washington's first line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, racking up a goal and five points in five games while coming it at a plus-4 in those five games. Beauvillier has, historically, been clutch in the playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/former-islanders-forward-anthony-beauvillier-boosts-capitals-in-first-round-battle-vs-canadiens], as he is showing his postseason prowess again with the Caps after getting dealt at the deadline to Washington from the Penguins. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/breaking-penguins-forward-anthony-beauvillier-traded-to-capitals] It hasn't been a bad year for Beauvillier, who has been a linemate of two all-time greats. Former Islanders Forward Anthony Beauvillier Boosts Capitals in First-Round Battle vs. Canadiens [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a3de9495-5dce-4fb5-b947-2ee1bf587f0e.jpeg] Former Islanders Forward Anthony Beauvillier Boosts Capitals in First-Round Battle vs. Canadiens Washington Capitals forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/report-capitals-acquire-anthony-beauvillier" target="_blank">Anthony Beauvillier</a> had quite the Round 1 performance in the 2025 playoffs. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/former-islanders-forward-anthony-beauvillier-boosts-capitals-in-first-round-battle-vs-canadiens] WINNIPEG JETS - F Brandon Tanev: A Penguins' casualty of the 2021 expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/], Tanev didn't register any points for Winnipeg through seven games in the first round, but his notorious energy, defensive prowess, and physicality was on full display, as he led the team in blocked shots with 11 and was third in hits with 27. - D Luke Schenn: Penguins' 48 hour-legend Luke Schenn [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/trade-penguins-flip-luke-schenn-to-winnipeg-following-trade-with-predators] got the last laugh in round one, beating his brother, Brayden Schenn, and the Blues in seven games while playing bottom-pair minutes and recording one assist despite being a minus-8. Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) and linesman Caleb Apperson (77) check out some bad centre ice during a game against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Canada Life Centre. (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c5c467df-252c-4906-a40f-eda806fb990a.jpeg] Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) and linesman Caleb Apperson (77) check out some bad centre ice during a game against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Canada Life Centre. (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
