What a weekend and start of the April month for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they were able to absolutely take four massive points from the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings in what essentially was must win games which the Penguins haven't experienced in a long time.
In a combined six periods of hockey, the Penguins were able to score a combined 13 goals over both of their opponents while only allowing four goals against in those two games.
Those gutsy Penguins walked in UBS Arena and were down twice in the game by two goals, stormed back to score seven unanswered goals and smother the New York Islanders who are right behind them in the Metro, 8-3 in a game of such importance that a Mike Sullivan coached team would have crumbled and given up.
Then on Tuesday, on the second half of a back to back, the Penguins were able to utterly dominate a fresh Detroit Red Wings team that has been struggling in all area's of the ice and is desperately in need of points in the Wild Card race in the eastern conference with a 5-1 win. They picked off right where they left off and were able to pick up another crucial win in a game with massive implications.
There were so many bright spots to point out in these games that prove that the Penguins, when they play good can compete with any team in the National Hockey League and have pure depth all around the lineup to get the job done, night in and night out.
Anthony Mantha hits 30 goal mark for the first time ever
It's 30 goals for Mo as he hits the 30 goal plateau for the first time in his up and down career. Mantha already previously broke his season high in goals at 25 and is on pace to cash in on a massive payday in the 2026 off-season, now the question will be is it with the Penguins or with another team who is prepared to overpay for the grizzled veteran. Mantha is ranked first in signed 2025 UFA's, with 30 goals, only person trailing him is Carolina's Nikolaj Ehleers at 24 goals.
Rickard Rakell, Erik Karlsson and Elmer Soderblom have ignited the Swedish trio
Kyle Dubas continues to look even smarter with the acqusiiton of Elmer Soderblom as the Swedish Pittsburgh trio continue to get it done. Erik Karlsson was awarded a player of the month of march honour and Rickard Rakell once again has hit 20 goals, with his two goals against the Islanders and goal against the Red Wings as he continues his multi game point streak. Elmer Soderblom continues to be a man on a mission as he almost had a Gordie Howe hat-trick against the Islanders with a goal and fight, and looked like a man possessed against his former team in the Red Wings.
What's his name? Stu and Silovs get it done
Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner came in big in their respective starts and were able to backstop the Penguins to two massive wins in a tight competition between the two as the Penguins inch closer to a chance to make the playoffs. A game one starter may be tricky, Stu has the more experience and has been to back to back Stanley Cup Finals, Silovs is the younger and also still familiar goaltender with playoff hockey. It will be interesting to see how the goalies work the rest of the regular season.
The Penguins only need around 3-4 wins as of April 1, to make the playoffs and it appears that a victory over Tampa on Thursday will boost odds incredibly but the room for error is next to none. The team needs to keep pedal to the metal the rest of the way.