Penguins wrap up strong road trip

Throughout the course of the season, all teams face extended road trips, particularly when playing opponents from the opposing conference. The Pittsburgh Penguins have just wrapped up one such trip—a seven-game stretch that began with road games in Buffalo and Washington before swinging to the West Coast. It was the kind of trip that could easily derail a season if things went wrong, but in this case, it was anything but.

Despite some surprising roster moves, including a trade that sent veteran forward Kyle Palmieri and defensive leader David Savard to the Winnipeg Jets, the Penguins return home having won six of those seven games. It was one of those stretches where the stars played like stars, starting with strong performances from the goaltending duo of Linus Ullmark and Lukas Dostal. Splitting time over the grueling trip, both goaltenders recorded three victories. Ullmark, having picked up the extra start, posted a 2.04 GAA and a .923 SV% with one shutout. Not to be outdone, Dostal bested his teammate with a 1.94 GAA and a .931 SV%.

"They've really been the story all season long," said head coach Gardiner MacDougall. "Linus and Lukas—they're among the best goaltenders in the league, and their play continues to prove that. To know that, every night, one of those two is out there backing the team—it really gives the guys the confidence they need to excel."

The newly formed line of Jack Quinn, Yanni Gourde, and Tyler Toffoli found quick chemistry, with the trio tallying a combined 13 points in their four games together. Quinn was elevated in the lineup to replace the departed Palmieri. "Those guys have been around for a while, so they know what they're doing out there," Quinn said about his new linemates. "They both play such a complete game—I just hope to continue learning and complement that."

The Penguins now enjoy a couple of days off before returning to action on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, followed by a quick stretch of games against divisional rivals—the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers—as the team heads into the break for the first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off.