Penguins start fast, grind out important road win over Red Wings

Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jan 3, 2026

Published in Hockey

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DETROIT — The Pittsburgh Penguins won their first three games out of the Christmas break with a barrage of offense, totaling 16 goals and creating welcomed breathing room. Saturday didn't quite match that script, although the Penguins certainly had chances.

Instead, the Detroit Red Wings made the Penguins work, especially in the third period, and Dan Muse's club passed an important test of responsible hockey during a 4-1 victory at Little Caesars Arena.

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Penguins threw the kitchen sink at Detroit and couldn't score. But instead of getting frustrated or taking unnecessary chances, the Penguins kept the clamps on the Red Wings, who mustered just 12 shots on goal.

The result was Pittsburgh extending its winning streak to four games — tying a season-long — and upping its record to 19-12-9. With late results to come, as of this writing the Penguins once again occupy the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

It was all because of a workmanlike effort that kept Detroit from recording the equalizer late, confidence that could help the Penguins given their previous third-period woes. Pittsburgh remained connected and pressured the puck at appropriate times. Not a sexy way to win games, but certainly important.

Through 40 minutes, the Penguins had the puck a bunch and held a 19-9 advantage in shots on goal. However, the Red Wings pulled to within one during the middle session thanks to left wing Alex DeBrincat's goal at 15:06 of the period.

Detroit didn't have a shot on goal for more than 7 1/2 minutes. But when Rutger McGroarty's shot attempt missed the net, it led to a two-on-one the other way with Kris Letang trapped.

DeBrincat fired a shot over Stuart Skinner's glove from the left circle to make it a 2-1 game.

The Penguins enjoyed all sorts of chances in the second period, too. Brett Kulak from the slot. Bryan Rust on a backdoor feed from Rickard Rakell, a bid Rust couldn't convert into an empty cage. Jack St. Ivany had another great look from the slot.

Fortunately for the Penguins, DeBrincat's shot from the left circle on a power play clanked off the post, and Skinner stopped center Dylan Larkin's deflection bid from the slot on the same power play.

While the Penguins have not fared well in afternoon games of late, dropping 14 of their past 18, they were ready from the drop of the puck in this one. Their start Saturday was strong, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.

Rust got things going with more damage done against his hometown team. Sidney Crosby delivered a pinpoint pass. Rust steadied it with his backhand despite the right shot coming down his off-wing, ripping a shot over John Gibson's glove for a 1-0 Penguins advantage at 3:44.

Rust, who extended his point streak to six games (four goals, eight points), now has six goals and 17 points in 24 career games against Detroit, a team he grew up rooting for in Pontiac, Mich.

Detroit didn't register its first shot on goal until 13:04 of the first, while Pittsburgh enjoyed several strong scoring opportunities — Connor Dewar alone shorthanded and Crosby doinking one off Gibson's mask chief among them.

Yegor Chinakhov extended the lead to 2-0 with his first goal as a Penguin, the gorgeous sequence finishing at 17:30. Ben Kindel, whose two-way game has been growing, controlled the puck in front of Skinner. Chinakhov made a beeline for the blue line. Kindel zipped an incredible stretch pass to Chinakhov, whose wicked release and accuracy appeared as advertised.

It was over when ...

Rakell netted an empty-net goal for his second goal in the past 12 games at 19:00 of the third. Dewar added another empty-netter.

Stat of the game

15: The Penguins have points in 15 of their last 18 games against Detroit, going 12-3-3 in those games. They're 6-3-0 in their last nine visits to Little Caesars Arena.

Around the boards

— No surprise, Muse kept the same lineup. That meant Kevin Hayes, Ville Koivunen and Connor Clifton were scratched.

— With his first-period assist, Crosby extended his point streak against the Red Wings to nine games. After the first period, he had six goals and 17 points during that time.

— Over the last six games, the Penguins have outscored their opponents 14-4 in the first period.

— Along with Rust, Crosby also has a six-game point streak, during which he has four goals and nine points.

—Penguins defensemen have 90 points through 40 team games this season. That's a pace of 185 over 82 games. Last season, Penguins defensemen accounted for 164 points.

Up next

The Penguins will travel to Columbus and will play the Blue Jackets on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

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