Boring wouldn’t be the way you would describe how the Pittsburgh Penguins began 2026. The Penguins opened the year with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings. It was a game that featured 11 power played (eight for Detroit), two Sidney Crosby goals, a successful offside challenge, a crazy dump in deflection for a goal, and a Kris Letang overtime goal in his 1,200th NHL game.
After all of that the Penguins have won four out of their last five games with the past two being against division leaders Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings.
Penalties, penalties, and more penalties
If you saw a before and after photo of the officials this evening you will notice that their right deltoids are larger than they were before the game. They got a lot of reps with their arms in the air this evening, as there were 11 power plays between the two teams. The Penguins found themselves with five minor penalties in the first period, alone. They spent close to a quarter of the game a man down.
It wasn’t so much that the Penguins penalties weren’t earned, most were clear. It was the fact that the officials watched multiple Detroit infractions without the same standard previously shown. As a viewer it was frustrating to watch it play out the way it did, and it was clear the players were frustrated as well. It led to Bryan Rust lashing out and earning an abuse of official penalty.
Overall, the kill was very good despite allowing two goals. They only allowed eight shots on the 8 power play opportunities. Connor Dewar led the way playing 8:06 out of the 13:48 of kill time.
Milestone night for Penguins defenders
Tonight’s game marked the 1,200th career game for Kris Letang, all with the Penguins. It is a remarkable number for someone who has had two strokes and heart surgery.
There aren’t too many defensemen in league history who have played as many games for one team as Letang has. Here are the players who are ahead of him
Letang made the night extra special by scoring the game winning goal in overtime with a splendid rip from the slot off a gorgeous backhand feed by Sidney Crosby.
Fittingly, it was at the 58 second mark of overtime when Letang scored.
Erik Karlsson also had his own milestone to celebrate. He reached 900 career points after earning two helpers in the victory. He has been terrific this season and looks like he has a lot of great hockey left in him.
While his two assists are documented in the box score his breakup of a 2v1 in overtime and puck possession to allow a line change led to the game winning sequence with Letang and Sidney Crosby.
Another two for the captain
Sidney Crosby scored his 22nd and 23rd goals of the season early in the first period to give the Penguins a quick two-goal lead. Thus far, this has been one of Crosby’s better goal scoring seasons of his illustrious career. He is on pace for 48 goals at the moment, it would be the second best total of his career.
His first of the night was also the first shot of the game. He went with the seldom used slap shot to zip it off of the post.
His second of the night was a stealthy interception in the middle of the ice that caught the Detroit defenders off guard.
What made Sid all smiles during the celebration?
The fourth line is back
The Penguins fourth line has been a successful trio this season, when they’ve been available. Injuries to Noel Acciari and Blake Lizotte have prevented the trio from making more of an impact than they’ve had this year.
Tonight, they were CF 13 CA 6 on top of all the minutes spent killing penalties. Connor Dewar was at 8:06, Noel Acciari was at 6:55, and Blake Lizotte was at 6:21.
Lizotte scored a goal late in the third period to put the Penguins up 3-2. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a very deserving goal for the speedy winger.
Lizotte has added jump to the lineup that was lacking. His speed is an asset and teams have to waste their energy chasing him around, which means it is less energy for the opponents to try and stop the Penguins top six players.
When this fourth line has been deployed, the results have been good.
The two teams will have a chance to rehash things when they come together on Saturday for a matinee in Detroit. For the Penguins it will be a chance for their third victory in a row over a division leader and their fourth win in a row.
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