The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their impressive early-season surge with a gritty 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night in Sunrise, Florida. Led by a vintage performance from captain Sidney Crosby, who netted two power-play goals and added an assist, the Penguins extended their win streak to four games and improved to 6-2-0, their best start since the 2019- 20 season.
Crosby’s brilliance was complemented by goals from Rickard Rakell, rookie Ben Kindel, and Connor Dewar. The Penguins’ power play, which has been operating at a red-hot clip above 26%, struck twice, with Crosby finishing off slick puck movement orchestrated by Evgeni Malkin and Rakell. Tristan Jarry was stellar in net, stopping 34 of 37 shots, including 16 in the third period to preserve the win.
Florida, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, didn’t go quietly. Brad Marchand scored twice and Sam Reinhart added a power-play goal, with Seth Jones and Mackie Samoskevich each contributing two assists. Despite outshooting Pittsburgh 31-9 over the final two periods, the Panthers couldn’t overcome the Penguins’ timely scoring and Jarry’s clutch saves.
This win further fuels the growing belief that the Penguins might be more than just a fringe playoff team this season. Few analysts expected Pittsburgh to contend, especially after missing the postseason three years in a row. But the emergence of young talent like Kindel and Dewar, combined with Crosby’s continued elite play, has shifted the narrative. The Penguins are not only winning , they’re doing so against top-tier competition, including the reigning champs.
However, this unexpected success places GM Kyle Dubas in a precarious position. Dubas has spent the past year laying the groundwork for a rebuild, stockpiling draft picks and acquiring young prospects like Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty. He’s made shrewd trades, such as flipping Anthony Beauvillier for assets and taking on contracts like Matt Dumba’s to gain future picks. Yet, with the team suddenly looking like a competitive squad, the question becomes: should Dubas pivot and try to win now? Sportsvival gets that it is still early in the season, but if this continues?
Dubas himself has acknowledged the tension between rebuilding and competing. He’s stated that while the long-term vision remains intact, the organization is focused on returning to contention “as urgently as possible”. That urgency is now being tested. Trading veterans like Rakell or Rust, once seen as inevitable, now risks disrupting a team that’s finding chemistry and momentum.
Ultimately, the Penguins’ win over Florida is more than just two points in the standings, it’s a statement. This team, once written off, is proving it can hang with the league’s best. And for Dubas, it’s a reminder that rebuilds aren’t always linear. Sometimes, the players, and the results force a new direction.
Scoring Summary
Penguins Goals:
Sidney Crosby (2) – both on the power play
Rickard Rakell – slick finish off a Malkin feed
Ben Kindel – first NHL goal for the rookie
Connor Dewar- sealed the win late in the third
Panthers Goals:
Brad Marchand (2) – one even strength, one shorthanded
Sam Reinhart – power-play goal in the second period
Despite being outshot 37-28, Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry stood tall with 34 saves, including several key stops in the final frame.
(photo courtesy of NHL.com)