So, this is Christmas, and what have you done?
Despite losing to the Devils in New Jersey on Saturday, the Penguins have spent the holiday season winning a lot and working their way into playoff contention. They are 8-3-1 since Thanksgiving Eve. Only seven teams top their .708 points percentage in that stretch.
All good, right?
Well, it could be.
Starting tonight against the Flyers, the Penguins finish the calendar year with four games against three teams below them in the Eastern Conference. It’s an opportunity to build some breathing room, if not end 2024 in a playoff spot.
Gotta win those games, though. And gotta win them clean — in regulation.
This is a bit of a dangerous time for the Penguins. They probably shouldn’t have beaten the Predators last week. They lost to the Devils over the weekend. After tonight, they’ll be off until Saturday — no practices even — because of the NHL’s Christmas break.
A lot of the momentum they’ve built over the past month could evaporate quickly.
The next week or so is a busy time for everyone. It’s a pivotal one for the Penguins.
How to watch, listen, follow
The Penguins (15-15-5, 35 points, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) face the Flyers (15-15-4, 34 points, fifth in the Metro) at PPG Paints Arena. The opening faceoff is set for just after 7 p.m. E.T.
- Regional TV/streaming: SportsNet Pittsburgh/SNP 360
- Local/regional radio: WXDX-FM, Penguins Radio Network
- U.S. streaming (outside Pittsburgh market): ESPN+
Odds (as of 9:30 a.m. ET)
- Spread: Penguins -1.5 (+195); Flyers + 1.5 (-250)
- Total: Over 6.5 (+100), Under 6.5 (-120)
- Moneyline: Penguins (-125), Flyers (+105)
Live posts
Down on the farm
Since the NHL’s 1967 expansion, no rivalry has topped Penguins-Flyers in scope or sustained intensity. But with neither franchise in Cup contention this decade, the rivalry has simmered.
The wild-card race could bring things to a boil rather quickly. If not, there’s always whatever was going on between the clubs’ AHL affiliates on Saturday night.
Check out this clip from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s win over Lehigh Valley. (Props to the WBS Penguins for those slick holiday-themed kits. I’ll take one, Santa, please and thank you.)
Not sure what started this but #LVPhantoms HC Ian Laperriere and #WBSPens HC Kirk MacDonald get game misconducts after this exchange.
Happy holidays!@InsideAHLHockey pic.twitter.com/mrDlctyT9Z
— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) December 22, 2024
That reminded me of a game between the Penguins and Flyers at the end of 2011-12 that was memorable for a couple of reasons: Evgeni Malkin’s 50th goal in his Hart Trophy season and a bench brouhaha between a couple of friends, Flyers coach Peter Laviolette and Penguins assistant Tony Granato.
Fun times.
Don’t miss
• The mess that is the New York Rangers’ season continued over the weekend with another over-the-line hit by the polarizing Matt Rempe. The NHL handed down a hefty suspension on Sunday, and the only debate is whether it was long enough to deter Rempe or the Rangers. Probably not.
I’m among those concerned that the game’s physicality has waned in the all-speed era. But there’s a big difference between clean hits and the kind Rempe has delivered since joining the league. I blame the Rangers as much as him because they’re clearly OK with his dirty deeds.
• Life’s not great for the NHL teams in New York state these days. Neither the Rangers nor Islanders are meeting reasonable expectations given their playoff appearances last season.
Still, the Buffalo Sabres take the cake. And it’s an under-baked cake that substitutes salt for sugar.
The Sabres top the bottom five in Sean McInode’s weekend rankings. Hard to argue otherwise, eh?
• If you missed it, here’s a link to the results of our Penguins fan survey that ran last week. Good on yinz.
And finally …
This is our finale for 2024. We’ll be back again someday — Jan. 2 to be exact.
I’m grateful for your support during what’s been a fun experiment, and I’m happy for the gift of being able to keep tinkering in the Penguins Today playground at the start of the new year.
One of my favorite things has been your responses to questions, such as the most recent: What is the best Penguins/NHL gift you’ve received for the holidays?
No. 5: A Robbie Brown autograph
Back in 1988, a coworker of my aunt (who both worked at the hospital across from the Civic Arena) was dating Robbie Brown and she got his autograph for me and some other French Canadian player’s autograph. Never heard of him. Lol. pic.twitter.com/1Es273Akxn
— BOOM ² (@FatPowerForward) December 22, 2024
Not the first time that French Canadian upstaged Brown.
No. 4: Oldie but goodie
I was the winner of the Children’s Palace Stick boy/girl contest back in 1974. Got the phone call on Christmas Eve that I won. Six days later I had my picture taken with Gary Inness on the ice after warmups.
— Terri E (@ElevatorUsher1) December 22, 2024
No snark here. That’s sweet.
And since I’m a sucker for holiday sugar:
I got an ornament made from Igloo roof years ago from my son. On my tree every year. Doesn’t seem like much but meant alot to me.
— Ray Kemmler Sr (@kemmler_sr) December 22, 2024
No. 3: Jerseys n’at
My Bryan Watson jersey which was my first Penguins jersey. I believe I got it in 1971. Still have it in my closet. pic.twitter.com/CC7ex6WhP8
— Dennis (@DenD631124) December 22, 2024
When I was 15, my mom swore the wrapped gift under the tree was a turtleneck. I screamed in horror. The next day, I found out it was my first Penguins jersey, I’m almost 53 and I still have it!
— Dave (@PittFan1994) December 22, 2024
Do they still fit?
December 25th, 2017. I had only become a Penguins fan in January of that year. Team & newly hired Sully go on magical cup run. By start of next season I’m obsessed. Fave player MC07. BFF gifts me authentic black home Cullen jersey. Tears of joy flowed.
— Jeff Taylor (@penspod-jt.bsky.social) December 22, 2024 at 12:55 PM
1985 received a Muskegon Lumberjacks jersey, took the $ i received too to have it numbered 15 for Jock Callander. pic.twitter.com/L2klDmmjWz
— Steve (@Stevesburgh) December 22, 2024
Remember how I said the 1991-92 Penguins are by far the best team in franchise history? Well, they won a series against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning team while icing a line of forwards from their top minor-league affiliate. The Muskegon Line owns a special place in franchise lore.
Milan Kraft Vegas gold alternate jersey Christmas 2000 other members of the family got Lemieux and Kasparaitis
— Jeff (@jchrist_51) December 22, 2024
Milan Kraft’s space in Penguins lore is a bit less special.
No. 2: Super Mario’s return
Easy! A Mario authentic ccm jersey, Christmas 2000. The year he came back. No C on the front, robo penguin on the shoulders, fight strap. My family didn’t have a lot of money, but they were super excited about the comeback. And they knew I was too. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!! — Nick C.
In Pittsburgh and all NHL cities (other than Toronto), Christmas in 2000 unofficially fell on Dec. 27. True story.
No. 1: Save those receipts
One of Sid’s signed gas receipts from GetGo. A buddy, Flyers fan, included a card that read: “Been saying Sid’s career is on fumes.”
— Relaxed Styles (@Relaxed_Styles) December 22, 2024
As stated above, Penguins-Flyers stands the test of time.
Honorable mention
When attending Hampton High, my younger brother brought my Lemieux rookie card to school and of course, got stolen. Last year, he finally bought me a new one, graded and all. Well worth it after all these years.
— Steve Byrne (@stevebyrnelive) December 22, 2024
Took him long enough, my friend.
Enjoy tonight. And the holidays.
Take pictures. Be grateful and patient. Hug loved ones. Have that extra cookie.
And, if you can, reach out to someone you know who might not be lucky enough to have somewhere to go. They’ll appreciate it more than you’ll know.
(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
