‘He’s a calming presence’: Penguins sticking with Skinner for Game 2

Since the previous Edmonton Oiler joined the black-and-gold in a late December commerce, head coach Dan Muse has opted to rotate netminding duties between Skinner and low season acquisition Arturs Silovs. The coach granted his goalies back-to-back begins solely a handful of instances over the ultimate 4 months of the common season.

But because the membership’s first-round bout in opposition to the Philadelphia Flyers strikes to Game 2, the Penguins have determined to stay with their two-time Stanley Cup finalist. Muse confirmed Monday that Skinner will get the beginning within the cage as soon as once more after dealing with goaltending duties on Saturday.

The 27-year-old’s regular efficiency within the collection’s first set up was possible no small a part of the choice. While a cursory look at Game 1’s stats would possibly counsel Skinner left extra to be desired — the netminder logged 17 saves on 20 photographs and gave up a backbreaking game-winner late within the third — anybody who watched the evening play out understands simply how essential he was in conserving the Pens in it till the ultimate minutes.

The Flyers had been throughout Pittsburgh early, capitalizing on some disconnected play from the house aspect and repeatedly funneling play in the direction of the Pens’ cage. Skinner was significantly pivotal early within the second interval, stymying a number of breakaway makes an attempt from the Flyers, and incomes’Stuuu!‘chants from the Penguins devoted with every passing save. It was the identical story early within the third, because the breakaway possibilities continued.

While it wasn’t sufficient for the Penguins to earn a win of their first post-season sport since 2022, there’s little doubt the Flyers may’ve carried out far more injury if not for No. 74 within the Pittsburgh cage.

And but, for those that share a locker room with him, Skinner’s presence off the ice is perhaps simply as necessary to the group’s possibilities.

“Obviously, he’s a great goaltender. But secondly, in the room, he’s vital to our room,” Pittsburgh ahead Blake Lizotte mentioned of Skinner after Monday morning’s elective skate. “That was obvious straight away. He’s a calming presence amid the chaos, which is what you need in a goalie. But additionally within the room, when there’s sort of turmoil within the room, you simply want some folks to sort of settle it down and go, ‘Hey, we’re a good group. Let’s concentrate on the little issues.’

“I think Stu definitely helped with that. Obviously, when he came in, our season was a little rocky at that point, and I think when he came in it really settled everyone in the room down.”

The netminder arrived in Pittsburgh because the membership was watched in a six-game dropping streak, their possibilities of making it again to the dance appeared dwindling. He misplaced his first three begins in a Penguins sweater himself, because the group’s struggles continued — then he reeled off seven wins in his subsequent eight begins, and helped set them again on observe.

“He was awesome from Day 1,” Muse mentioned Monday. “Just in terms of the personality, who he is. He’s very genuine, he’s a great teammate, he’s always got a smile on his face. I think just the approach that he takes to his day-to-day — it’s been outstanding.”

That even-keeled mindset got here via on Saturday evening, within the wake of Pittsburgh’s disappointing post-season opener. Fresh off back-to-back runs to the Cup Final over the previous two years, the previous Oiler understands nicely the significance of conserving feelings stage amid the rollercoaster of the post-season.

“I feel really good,” Skinner mentioned Saturday evening, after Game 1. “I feel good about my game. I feel like the guys should be feeling really good about their game. I mean, every single period we just kept on getting better, and if we continue to do that, we’re going to put ourselves in a really good spot here.”

While the Penguins have loads of expertise amongst their management group — veterans who’ve reached the best of heights within the sport, who’ve hung banners at PPG Paints Arena — it is Skinner who arrives with the newest run of playoff success.

“I think for me, I really look back on what I have gone through,” he mentioned Saturday evening. (*2*)

Zegras proving to be a lacking piece for younger Flyers core

Since I arrived in Philly final June, Trevor Zegras you may have been a central cog within the Flyers’ machine. After a pair of seasons that noticed the 2019 ninth-overall decide’s inventory fall in Anaheim, resulting in a commerce out of city that will’ve appeared tough to fathom simply a few years prior, Zegras has made no bones about the truth that he is taking part in with a chip on his shoulder.

A sterling common season — which noticed him put up a career-best 26 objectives and 67 factors — rolled proper into a stable efficiency in Game 1 in opposition to Pittsburgh, the 25-year-old organising Philly’s opening purpose 9 minutes into his first-ever playoff sport. And simply as Zegras has confirmed to be a key a part of the Flyers’ assault, the previous Duck has been one thing of a lacking piece for the membership’s younger core away from the sport, too.

“I think him coming in here kind of set the glue a little bit — he’s a really well-liked guy, and I saw that right from the second week,” head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned of Zegras after the group’s apply on Sunday. “Right from training camp, a week, two weeks in, he’s hanging with [Travis Konecny]him and [Christian Dvorak]both coming from another team, instant bond. That hasn’t just come throughout the year. That started at training camp.”

Especially necessary in permitting Zegras to settle in with the Flyers straight away was the presence of shut pal Jamie Drysdale — a fellow former Duck, who was equally traded to Philly in 2024.

“I think him having Jamie is big,” Tocchet mentioned of the duo. “I think Jamie’s helped him.”

“I found out in the summer,” the defenseman mentioned, considering again to the commerce that introduced Zegras to city. “It was a pretty quick turnaround. It was ‘Z on the trade block,’ and then it was hearing it could be this week, and then it was ‘Z to Philly’ — within the span of what felt like an hour. … I think everyone could see first-hand throughout this year what he can bring to a team and an organization. We’re lucky to have him.”

Lucky, too, to have the Bedford, NY, product’s distinctive character within the room amid the emotional grind of the playoffs.

“He’s a pretty free-spirited guy obviously,” Drysdale mentioned with a chuckle. “But just lightens up a locker room. He’s great to be around, a great guy to have. … He’s been a stud for us all year, and continued to be through Game 1. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Penguins, Flyers conserving stage head after fiery Game 1

The first set up of the 2026 Battle of Pennsylvania introduced no scarcity of fireworks. The Flyers pummeled the Penguins within the first interval, the Penguins pushed again within the second, and the guests finally completed the evening with a win courtesy of a late stunner off the stick of their teenage phenom Porter Martone.

Despite the theatrics, each golf equipment are preaching calmness going into Game 2.

“Guys were excited that we won the game. But I don’t know, back at the hotel, we ate as a team. They had some highlights, but nobody was really watching. Guys ate and then guys went and got some therapy done. That’s when you know,” Tocchet mentioned Sunday. “It was nearly like, ‘Alright, good sport, however we acquired 36 hours to prepare, as a result of we all know the opposite group’s going to return out tougher.

“That’s a veteran approach, and I saw that from the young guys. … I was watching [captain Sean Couturier] — it was, ‘Hey, good win, but let’s go here.’”

“We obviously have a really good leadership group that will set the tempo and set the mood. I mean, I don’t think anybody’s panicking here,” Kindel mentioned after Sunday’s skate on the Penguins’ apply facility. “We simply got here to the rink, it was a common day at this time. We’re seeking to get the job carried out tomorrow and execute tomorrow. And that is about it.

“Tomorrow’s a new day, new game. It’s a long series.”

Egor Chinakhov – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak – Rickard Rakell – Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom – Ben Kindel – Anthony Mantha
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari

Parker Wotherspoon – Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard – Kris Letang
Ryan Shea – Connor Clifton

Tyson Foerster – Trevor Zegras – Owen Tippett
Travis Konecny ​​- Christian Dvorak – Porter Martone
Denver Barkey – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov
Luke Glendening – Sean Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Emil Andrae