Pittsburgh Penguins: Breaking down the best moments of 2019/20 so far

The NHL regular season is on pause for now. So let’s go back and look at the best Pittsburgh Penguins moments so far this season.

As we all patiently await the return of hockey, or all sports for that matter, what better way to pass the time than to relive the memories of the season. The Pittsburgh Penguins had some memorable times, once again, in 2019/20. History, renewal, and on the edge of your seat excitement are just some of the terms that can explain how this year has gone so far.

Jarry’s Wall

From November 29th, 2019 until December 10th, 2019, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie, Tristan Jarry didn’t let a puck out of his sight, or into the back of the net. Traditionally when you look at Penguin’s netminders and records, you think of Tom Barrasso, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Matt Murray. Now, after this season, we can add the young and up and coming Jarry to the list.

On that night in December against the Canadiens, Jarry’s steak ended on a 4-1 loss, but before that moment, he went 177 minutes and 15 seconds without giving up a goal. Tomas Vokoun previously held that mark with a steak of 173:06. Jarry also found himself as a catalyst for another streak after shutting out the Blues; the Pens went 23-6-2 over the next few months.

Geno touches them all

Just a few nights before Jarry started his run, Evgeni Malkin crashed the party on his way into the record books. To the untrained eye, it was just an empty-net goal to seal the Pens win against the Flames. But that goal gave Geno is 400th career goal and with some pretty great company. Malkin added his name next to the likes of Mario, Jagr, and Crosby and into the Pens 400 club.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Breaking down the best moments of 2019/20 so far.

That goal was also his 1,031 point of all-time putting him in fourth place among all Russian NHL players. This season has been an up and down one for Geno due to injuries. But he did bond well with his linemates finding loads of success next to Guentzel and Rust on the second line.

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Three on a tree in the third period

A few weeks before Geno’s milestone night, the Pens were in a battle out on Long Island. Starting the 3rd period down 3-0, all looked lost for the Pens, especially with the scenario they were in. It wasn’t just an away game or one against a division foe, but it was a 3-0 deficit in the final period to a team on a ten game win streak.

We all know the result now, but they didn’t make it easy on our hearts. Instead, they scored all of them in just over 7 minutes jump-starting the hearts over and over again. After the third goal sent the game into OT, Bryan Rust did the rest with a clutch game-winner to end the streak and complete the comeback.

The 14 goal thriller

A 14 goal game in the NHL is not a common thing these days, but even more uncommon is a side scoring 6 in one period. The Penguins had to put their rally caps on once more as they were down big in the third period against the Canucks. The Penguins turned a 6-3 hole into an 8-6 win in a third-period shootout.

Coach Mike Sullivan was quoted after the game saying, “We love the resilience that this group shows,” it’s just a never-say-die attitude regardless of the score or challenge in front of us.” The problem was six goals, and the Penguins never game up. These types of games aren’t suitable for the condition of the heart, but man are they fun to watch.

From 3 goals in 7 minutes to 6 goals in one period, Geno’s legacy, and Jarry’s stiflyness, this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins have been none stop excitement for fans and lookers-on. With any hope, the season will continue, and the Pens can give us some more “never say die” moments.