PENGUINS WEEKLY – 1/9/24

Successful three-in-three gives way to three-game road trip

WEEKLY – Penguins (18-12-4-0) earn five out of six possible points with more division games upcoming

Penguins Weekly Rewind

Friday, Jan. 5 – PENGUINS 2 at Springfield 1
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton built a 2-0 lead on pretty goals by Vinnie Hinostroza and Peter Abbandonato, and then Joel Blomqvist turned aside 35 shots to lock down the win. PTO forward Jesse Puljujärvi made his Penguins debut.

Saturday, Jan. 6 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Lehigh Valley 4 (OT)
Once again, the Penguins had a two-goal lead in the third period, but this time, they couldn’t hold on. Matt Filipe, Alex Nylander and Abbandonato helped construct a 3-1 lead, but Phantoms rookie Samu Tuomaala sparked a comeback that concluded with Tuomaala’s overtime-winner.

Sunday, Jan. 7 – PENGUINS 2 vs. Hartford 1
The Penguins gutted out another close victory with Jonathan Gruden’s second-period, shorthanded goal standing as the difference. Blomqvist made 20 saves for his fifth-straight win.

The Weekly Ahead

Friday, Jan. 12 – PENGUINS at Providence
The Penguins and Bruins renew their rivalry at Amica Mutual Pavilion. The season series is split at two wins apiece, and the visiting team has won all four times.

Saturday, Jan. 13 – PENGUINS at Bridgeport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goes head-to-head with Bridgeport for the first time this season. The Islanders trail far behind in last place of the Atlantic Division standings, but they are gaining steam with a 4-3-2-0 (.555) record in their last nine games.

Monday, Jan. 15 – PENGUINS at Springfield
The Penguins return to MassMutual Center for the second of three meetings this month with the Thunderbirds, but this game is a Monday matinée with a 3:05 p.m. start. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 3-0-1-0 in its season series with Springfield.

Ice Chips

– On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Rem Pitlick to the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2026.

– Joel Blomqvist has won each of his last five starts, allowing one goal in each of those five wins.

– Blomqvist ranks third in the league in goals against average (2.16) and fifth in save percentage (.920).

– Peter Abbandonato has 10 points (3G-7A) in 10 home games as a Penguin.

– Matt Filipe’s next game will be his 100^th AHL game.

– Alex Nylander is two points away from 200 AHL points.

DIVISION STANDINGS

TEAM LEADERS

* = rookie
X = not on current roster

UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE

DATE                  OPPONENT       LOCATION                             TIME      

Fri, Jan. 12         Providence        Amica Mutual Pavilion          7:05 p.m.

Sat, Jan. 13        Bridgeport         Total Mortgage Arena           7:00 p.m.

Mon, Jan. 15      Springfield         MassMutual Center               3:05 p.m.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Wed, Jan. 3     (D) Ryan Shea                                              Recalled by PIT

Wed, Jan. 3     (G) Taylor Gauthier                 Reassigned by PIT to WHL

Thu, Jan. 4      (RW) Jesse Puljujärvi                                    Signed to PTO

Sat, Jan. 6        (C) Rem Pitlick                                  Traded by PIT to CHI