The week ahead: Here come the playoffs

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 30: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with Rickard Rakell #67 after scoring a goal in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images Go back to the start of September when the Pittsburgh Penguins were just entering training camp, and imagine somebody telling you this week the Penguins would be playing their third consecutive meaningless game, preparing to sit everybody important for Game 82 so they can be ready for the playoffs. Then imagine the Penguins would be spending that week likely preparing to play either the Philadelphia Flyers or Washington Capitals in the first round.

Chaos. Mayhem. You would have never believed it.

Nor would you have believed an 18-year-old Ben Kindel would show up right from the NHL Draft and make an immediate impact. Or that Anthony Mantha would be the team’s leading goal-scorer. Or that they would find another potential star in Egor Chinakhov, one that is just entering his prime years, in a mid-season trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Or that Stuart Skinner would be their starting goalie thanks to a Tristan Jarry trade. Or that Erik Karlsson would rediscover his Norris Trophy form. Or that Parker Wotherspoon would be a reliable first-pairing defenseman partner for him.