Rested Penguins Look to Keep Rolling Against Slumping Ducks

The Pittsburgh Penguins, fresh off a well-deserved two-day break in sunny California, are ready to hit the ice again Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

Pittsburgh is midway through a seven-day road trip that started with a grueling stretch of three games in four days, capped by a coast-to-coast flight after Saturday’s loss to the league-leading Washington Capitals. Despite the schedule grind, the Penguins bounced back with a dominant 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

“It was one of our best games all year,” said coach Mike Sullivan. Center Sidney Crosby, who recorded a goal and an assist, echoed the sentiment:
“Everyone was locked in. We managed the game really well on both sides of the puck.”

Winger Anthony Beauvillier added a goal and assist in the win, commending the team’s resilience despite the challenging travel schedule.

Penguins Stay in the Hunt

Although Pittsburgh sits seventh in the Metropolitan Division, they’re only four points out of a wild-card spot in the tightly contested Eastern Conference. With momentum on their side, the Penguins hope to capitalize against a Ducks team stuck in a tough stretch.

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Ducks Struggling to Find Answers

Anaheim has lost four straight and seven of their last eight games. Offense has been a glaring issue — the Ducks rank last in the NHL in goals per game, averaging just 2.36. In games where they score two or fewer, they’re a dismal 1-23-4.

Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers highlighted their struggles. Despite an early power-play goal by Frank Vatrano, the Ducks couldn’t maintain focus, giving up three unanswered goals in the first period.

“We just didn’t stay locked in,” coach Greg Cronin admitted. “Turnovers and missed opportunities cost us.”

Trevor Zegras returned to the lineup after missing 22 games due to knee surgery. While he failed to score in his 15:48 of ice time, his presence offers a glimmer of hope for a team desperate to turn things around.

What’s at Stake

For Pittsburgh, a win could further close the gap in the playoff race, while Anaheim hopes to snap their losing streak and keep their slim postseason hopes alive. With one team surging and the other stumbling, Thursday’s game promises to be a clash of determination and grit.