The Penguins continued to shuffle personnel in the wake of a fresh wave of ailments.
Leading goal-scorer Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kaedan Korczak did not practice yesterday and are currently listed as day-to-day with lower-body injuries.
Andrei Kuzmenko (one assist in 10 games) was bumped up to Geno’s spot on the second line. Kris Letang skated next to Sam Girard on the second pairing. Playing his off (right) side, Ilya Solovyov slotted alongside struggling Declan Carlile (minus-9) on the third tandem.
In addition, Justin Brazeau was recalled from his conditioning assignment with the Baby Pens (an assist in two games). Last season’s 17-goal man replaced Kuzmenko on the third line.
In the funny-how-things-work department, I really thought Brazeau might be traded over the summer due to the influx of forwards. Something I would’ve been okay with at the time. Now I view the massive 6’7” 236-pound winger as a much-needed commodity. Especially since fellow big-and-taller Elmer Soderblom has been downgraded to week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Taylor-Made for Promotion?
Just spit-ballin’, mind you. But if rookie netminder Sergei Murashov continues to struggle, especially with the mental aspect of the game, do you send him back to the Baby Pens to help him regain his confidence?
And if you do, who do you summon to replace him? Of the two Baby Pens goalies, Joel Blomqvist is the more decorated, having played in the 2024 AHL All-Star game as well as being named to the 2023-24 AHL All-Rookie Team and AHL Second All-Star Team. He also has 15 games of NHL experience.
However, Blomqvist has struggled out the gate this season, posting a 1-3-1 record to go with a 3.41 goals against average (GAA) and .864 save percentage (SV%).
On the flip side, tandem-mate Taylor Gauthier has been superb, logging a 4-1 record along with a sparkling 2.02 GAA and .939 SV%. This on the heels of three really strong seasons with Wheeling.
Granted, there’s a quantum difference between the ECHL (and even the AHL) and the NHL. Yet the undrafted free agent has a track record of success at every level.
Should they decide to make a move, it’ll be interesting to see who Kyle Dubas & Co. choose.
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Vegas played last night and lost in a shootout, if our Penguins were still a good team, they would be licking their chops at the potential feasting on an exhausted opponent. Regardless of who is put in net, they should not look bad at all - even Silovs could potentially look ok. Vegas shooters would more than likely just be firing at the net and not looking things over. Even with the Penguins defense poor as it is with Girard flying up ice well before the puck clears the blue line, Knights will probably be in a hurry to get their shot off without any external pressure from the empty sweater Pens.