Recap: Penguins Prospects Show Promise in 7-3 Loss vs. Buffalo

Photo: USA TODAY

The Pittsburgh Penguins officially opened their preseason last night with an unfortunate 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. For those who did not watch the game would think it was a brutal showing for the Penguins prospects, but the Sabres played all but two NHL regulars in this game. The Penguins lineup, however, consisted of defensemen Ryan Graves and John Ludvig, and forwards Drew O’Connor, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Cody Glass as the “NHL” players.

One of those NHL players, Jesse Puljujarvi, scored all three goals for the Penguins, and looked like the team’s best player. Prospect forward

Tristan Broz had two assists, and forwards Rutger McGoarty, Ville Koivunen, and Avery Hayes all had an assist as well.

Things got off good for the Pens in the first period after McGoarty drew a penalty very early, which led to a Puljujarvi power-play goal after a deflection off of a Koivunen shot gave the Penguins the 1-0 lead just 68 seconds into the game. Goalie Joel Blomqvist had a good first period as well, stopping 15 of 16 shots, but did not look that stable. Then, in the second, he fell apart, as the Sabres scored five goals in the first 4:40 of play.

In the third period, down 7-1, Puljujarvi would beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen twice in 29 seconds to make the score 7-3, and that would be all she wrote for this one.

In general, the Penguins were much more heavily outmatched with an NHL team versus a team’s prospects. However, some players looked very solid, in my opinion. Obviously, Jesse Puljujarvi was the star, and Broz, McGoarty, Koivunen, and Hayes all looked well, in my opinion. The defense was not horrible, but nothing good either. Blomqvist looked shaky, especially in the second period, and Filip Larsson looked decent, but nothing eye-catching.

Once again, this was only the first game of preseason. The Penguins still have about two weeks to get their final roster to what they need to be. Not time to overreact…yet.

ITR 31: Let Them Fight Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris to discuss WHL expansion, Thatcher Demko returning from IR, Gabe Viladri out week-to-week, Gabriel Landeskog a full practice participant, and the NHL referees stopping a goalie fight. Join in on all this and MUCH more!
  1. ITR 31: Let Them Fight
  2. ITR 30: Down The Stretch
  3. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review
  4. ITR 28: Deadline Week
  5. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Nik Shermeto

PT ‘23 | 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 | Penguins writer for Inside The Rink | Thoughts are my own.

Leave a Reply

Gabe Perreault skating for Boston College

New York Rangers Sign Prized Prospect Gabe Perreault

Things have not always worked out in spades when it comes to the New York Rangers and their development of younger players. Kaapo Kakko is a great example of this. He was taken with the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and things never panned out for him on Broadway as he […]

Read More
Carolina Hurricanes celebrating a win

Carolina Hurricanes Impress Past Trade Deadline

RALEIGH, North Carolina: The trade deadline has passed, and the Carolina Hurricanes have taken the best of it. Now fifth overall in NHL standings, the Canes are 8-2-0 since the deadline.

Read More

Winnipeg Jets Recall Chris Driedger & Jaret Anderson-Dolan

The Winnipeg Jets announced today that the team has recalled forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan and goaltender Chris Driedger from the Manitoba Moose. The moves come after the Jets need insurance for their forward core and a goaltender to backup Connor Hellebuyck on their road trip, which starts in Los Angeles. With Gabriel Vilardi out week-to-week, Rasmus […]

Read More