{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/hLA2xcWs.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "The Pittsburgh Penguins are reaching a point of no return with head coach Mike Sullivan.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/hLA2xcWs-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/hLA2xcWs.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/hLA2xcWs.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 313638, "filesize": 4077296, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 418291, "filesize": 5437788, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1135412, "filesize": 14760361, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113933, "filesize": 1481137 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 426791, "filesize": 5548288, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hLA2xcWs-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 714693, "filesize": 9291017, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "id": "mfwkq47a-8rb1y3f3", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1769498280981856267", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1769498280981856267", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "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." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“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.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguin s for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Former Penguins' Konstantin Koltsov Dies at Age 42" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Preview: Michael Bunting Making Impact Known" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Send Defenseman Back to AHL" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Insider: Penguins Open to Trading Erik Karlsson" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Report: Penguins Looking to Extend Sidney Crosby" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Penguins Strike Gold With Third Line Combination