Pens Points: History-making Blowout
Catch up on some of the latest hockey headlines in today’s Pens Points.
Here are your Pens Points for this Thursday morning...
The Penguins traveled to Long Island Wednesday night for a Metropolitan Division clash against the New York Islanders. Simply put, the Penguins outclassed the Islanders in every category after the first period, scoring seven goals en route to a 7-0 win. History was made. And while I don’t want to take too much away from Hooks’ recap (you should read it), look at these stats.
- Evgeni Malkin now has more goals than Sergei Fedorov. Malkin is already the top Russian-born NHL assist leader, and now he’s up to second in goals.
- Letang put up five assists in the second period. That is the most points in a single period for a defender in league history. Paul Coffey didn’t get five in a period. Bobby Orr never did, and not any blueliner ever. Except, for now, Letang.
- Six assists overall in a game by Letang ties Ron Stackhouse for the most points all-time by a Penguin blueliner. It also ties the most assists in a game for any Penguin player, with Mario Lemieux (x4) and Greg Malone also reaching six helpers in a game, per the Sportsnet Pittsburgh broadcast.
- Letang’s night was so crazy he entered the contest tied-32nd in assists among NHL defensemen. He leaves it tied-10th. [Recap]
It’s not yet make-or-break time for these Pittsburgh Penguins, but we’re damn near to the point of no return if the team wants to position itself for a playoff push. Coming out of the holiday break, they must quickly find their footing and earn more than shootout points. [Trib Live]
Yesterday was an anniversary date for the Penguins. On Dec. 27, 2000, Mario Lemieux laced up the skates once again, coming out of retirement and returning to his old self—earning three points in a 5-0 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On this day in 2000, Mario Lemieux made his comeback to the NHL and posted three points (1G-2A) in a 5-0 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. pic.twitter.com/sCshgjC3Px
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 27, 2023
Speaking of No. 66, he recently rediscovered an old youth jersey and gladly donated it to the collection inside the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. [Penguins]
News and notes from around the NHL...
The Nashville Predators No. 1 goaltending prospect, Yaroslav Askarov, called up from the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday, will try to soak up as much of the NHL experience as he can. [NHL]
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba left Wednesday’s game against the Washington Capitals due to an upper-body injury. [Sportsnet]