Brunicke Shines, Penguins Fall to Detroit in Preseason Rematch

In numerous video games final season, the Penguins dominated five-on-five play however had meager outcomes to point out for it.

The story was very a lot the identical on Tuesday evening.

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Regardless of registering over 40 photographs on purpose and carrying play for a lot of the evening, the Penguins got here up quick and fell to the Detroit Purple Wings, 2-1, within the second of a back-to-back slate with them.

Rickard Rakell scored the lone purpose for Pittsburgh, and the Penguins went 0-3 on the ability play regardless of some nice appears. Detroit goaltender Ville Husso stopped 43 of 44 photographs and was stellar all through the sport.

Listed below are some ideas, notes, and observations from tonight’s preseason matchup.

– I feel The Hockey Information – Pittsburgh Penguins web page is about to change into a Harrison Brunicke fan web page.

I really feel like I have been repeating myself rather a lot over the past a number of days, however what a efficiency by him. He was in every single place tonight, and he was good in all three zones. He joined the frenzy. He sprung breakouts. He broke up some performs within the defensive zone. He imposed his will within the impartial zone.

This man – at age 18 and recent off the 2024 NHL Entry Draft – appears like a top-six NHL defenseman proper now. At this level, the Penguins must extremely take into account giving Brunicke an prolonged look with the nine-game trial run, no matter Erik Karlsson’s well being.

Jack St. Ivany has been good, however he is additionally waiver-exempt and may simply be moved again as much as the NHL membership after the trial run.

At this level, I must see extra of Brunicke. And I feel the Penguins do, too.

Related: Penguins’ 2024 Second Round Pick Turning Heads in Preseason

– Vasiliy Ponomarev left the sport halfway via the second interval after crashing arduous into the boards and didn’t return. Head coach Mike Sullivan mentioned they’re evaluating Ponomarev for an undisclosed harm.

He was favoring his left shoulder when he got here off the ice. Let’s hope it is nothing too severe as a result of he is positively been one of many standout gamers in camp vying for a roster spot. It will be unlucky for him if it is one thing that retains him out.

– I actually like what I am seeing from the Penguins’ energy play thus far within the preseason.

It didn’t register a purpose tonight, however the variations from final season are noticeable and palpable. There may be much more puck motion. Much more participant motion and fewer standing nonetheless. They’re using a low bumper – normally Rust – as soon as they set up possession within the zone, which has already paid off on multiple event.

Rakell is in a terrific place to make use of the perfect asset he gives in his shot, as is Malkin. The facility play appears to be working via the defenseman – on this case, Letang, though, it might be Karlsson within the common season. Crosby is in his workplace. Rust operates nicely as a bumper/purpose line presence.

It is a small pattern, however there’s rather a lot to love thus far. Hopefully, this carries into the common season, and the Penguins will see extra common outcomes with with it this season.

Related: Tough Roster Decisions Loom as Penguins Defeat Red Wings in Preseason Matchup

– Sidney Crosby was chargeable for the massive turnover that led to the Detroit game-winning purpose. He tried a cross-ice go alongside the boards within the impartial zone, and it was intercepted by Detroit’s Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who assisted on Nate Danielson’s ensuing purpose.

It is the preseason, however accountable play late in video games – together with by the workforce’s stars – must be a magnet for this workforce in 2024-25. They gave up approach too many deflating late objectives final season as a direct results of poor turnovers.

– Evgeni Malkin’s line was, as soon as once more, the perfect of the evening. Rickard Rakell, particularly, stood out. He had about 1,000,000 probabilities on the finish, together with one off the crossbar throughout the ultimate push.

I mentioned it the opposite day, too, however Rakell is locked in. He is hit iron a number of instances over a couple of video games, and he scored the lone purpose tonight.

I anticipate a giant season from him, and I feel that complete line goes to be large for the Penguins.

Related: Penguins Defeat Senators in ‘Hockeyville’ Preseason Showdown

– Husso was phenomenal on this recreation making 43 saves on 44 photographs.

The Penguins introduced all of it evening, and he needed to make some robust saves. He stopped Crosby on a breakaway late within the first interval and made it look straightforward. He survived a couple of onslaughts by the Penguins’ energy play and by the Penguins’ second line.

He was additionally saved by the iron a couple of instances, however he earned the win for his workforce.

– The Penguins play two extra preseason video games – a back-to-back towards Columbus on Thursday and Friday – earlier than they shut out coaching camp and sit up for the common season.

I anticipate to see hefty roster cuts coming tomorrow. I do suppose there can be a couple of guys who stick round, simply so some guys aren’t compelled to go back-to-back. And I think about it will likely be the few remaining gamers battling for the ultimate roster spots.

We are going to see who sticks round come Wednesday. However put together for some extra outstanding names to be lower – and waived – inside the subsequent couple of days.

Related: 3 Takeaways From Penguins 5-1 Win Over Red Wings

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