Veteran Penguins Stepping Up This Season to Try and Secure a Playoff Spot

The Penguins as a team have one of the longest playoff streaks in the modern era. From 2006-2022 seasons (16) they appeared in the playoffs, and during that time won 3 Stanley Cups. So, it is not much of a surprise that the veterans who have been on the team the longest. are performing with a common goal, not to miss the playoffs two years in a row.

Long-tenured Pittsburgh Penguins this season:

Sidney Crosby
— 26 Goals
— 46 Points
— 36 EVP
— 59.6 FOW%

Jake Guentzel
— 19 Goals
— 46 Points
— 36 EVP
— 157 Shots

Tristan Jarry
— 0.916 SV%
— 2.48 GAA
— 5 Shutouts (1st in the NHL)

Kris Letang
— 3 Goals
— 29 Points
— 27 EVP pic.twitter.com/7s8czWw74t— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) January 18, 2024

Sidney Crosby is performing at a level to be in the Hart Trophy conversation. In 42 games he has 26 goals and 46 points. The last time Crosby had 40 or more goals was in the 2016-2017 campaign. His faceoff win percentage is 59.6% - compared to his average in his career of 52.4%. He has always been consistent faceoffs since he was under 50% in his first two seasons. And, he can still rip that puck home.

WHAT A SHOT! 😳

Sidney Crosby rips home his 25th goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/Hovwsi67K0— NHL (@NHL) January 15, 2024

Tristian Jarry has played under the pressure of competition for the starting goaltending position, but has still posted the most shutouts by a goalie this season.

TIED FOR THE LEAGUE LEAD IN SHUTOUTS (5).

Way to go, @tjarry35! 👏 pic.twitter.com/9jQvdp5K49— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 15, 2024

Jake Guentzel has scored 30 or more goals the last two seasons, and is on pace to easily reach that milestone again this season. He is also the fastest to 200 goals from the draft class of 2013.

so what i'm hearing is jake guentzel is the best from the 2013 draft? pic.twitter.com/u7eg9f5SoO— 🦐 (@D3LLANDREA) November 5, 2023

Kris Letang has been on a mission this year as well. At with a plus 15 and 29 points this year, he is just 12 points away from besting himself from last year. And who can forget that 6 assist night against the Islanders, tying the NHL record for assists by a D-man.

Kris Letang was a man on a mission tonight 😤 pic.twitter.com/DDLrnxnCR1— NHL (@NHL) December 28, 2023

Evgeni Malkin is putting together a solid year so far with 36 points in 42 games. He is helping in other ways, drawing the most penalties on the team with 21.


With the team overall playing better these last few games, the tenured Penguins are showing the new guys on the team what type of play is expected to win. They are doing what they should, lead by example.