The Pittsburgh Penguins opened the 2026-27 season with a statement, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on the road. That result does not guarantee anything, but it immediately adds intrigue to a team that already exceeded expectations last season.
Pittsburgh finished 2025-26 with 98 points and second place in the Metropolitan Division after missing the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons. The Penguins then pushed Philadelphia to six games in the opening playoff round.
With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang still leading the group, Pittsburgh also has younger pieces emerging around its veteran core. Here are 5 bold predictions that could define another surprisingly competitive season for the Penguins.
The Penguins could return to the playoffs
Pittsburgh enters the season with a stronger foundation than it had entering 2025-26. The Penguins already showed they could reach the postseason, finishing 41-25-16 while scoring 290 goals during the regular season.
The biggest question is whether that success can be repeated. The Metropolitan Division remains demanding, and the Penguins have several players carrying significant responsibility. Still, their opening-night roster blends established stars with several younger additions.
The 7-0 victory over Philadelphia provided an encouraging early sign. Nicholas Robertson scored twice, while Filip Hallander recorded 3 points and Arturs Silovs stopped all 19 shots. One game is hardly a season, but the result showed Pittsburgh’s depth immediately.
Egor Chinakhov could reach 30 goals
Egor Chinakhov is one of Pittsburgh’s most intriguing scoring candidates. After joining the Penguins from Columbus last season, he produced 18 goals and 36 points in only 43 games with Pittsburgh, earning a new three-year contract.
His underlying shooting profile also supports an aggressive projection. NHL EDGE data placed Chinakhov fifth among forwards in hardest shot at 99.03 mph, while his skating and shot-speed measurements ranked highly across the league.
A 30-goal season would represent a major step forward, but the opportunity is there. Pittsburgh expects Chinakhov to play a prominent role, and his first season-ending production suggests he can become a bigger offensive factor alongside Crosby or Malkin.
Ville Koivunen could become a 20-goal scorer
Ville Koivunen arrives with a different profile from Chinakhov, but his development could be equally important. The 23-year-old split last season between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before signing an 8-year contract worth $4 million annually.
Koivunen recorded 41 points in only 34 AHL games, including 13 goals and 28 assists. He also produced 9 points during 15 Calder Cup Playoff games, giving Pittsburgh evidence that his offensive game can translate against stronger competition.
The NHL challenge is different, and expecting 20 goals would be aggressive after his 2-goal, 7-point NHL sample last season. However, increased opportunity could change his production quickly, particularly with Pittsburgh’s established playmakers creating chances.
Sergei Murashov could become the No. 1 goalie
Goaltending is one of Pittsburgh’s most fascinating variables. Arturs Silovs opened the season as the starter and delivered a shutout against Philadelphia, but Sergei Murashov remains a legitimate candidate to claim a larger role.
Murashov spent most of 2025-26 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting a 2.20 goals-against average and .919 save percentage across 38 AHL games. Those numbers ranked him third in AHL goals-against average and demonstrated strong consistency.
The bold prediction is not simply that Murashov receives NHL starts. It is that the 22-year-old eventually becomes Pittsburgh’s preferred option in meaningful games, giving the organization a younger alternative behind a veteran-heavy roster.
Pittsburgh could score more than 300 goals
The Penguins already ranked among the NHL’s most productive offenses last season, scoring 290 goals and averaging 3.54 goals per game. That production helped carry them to 98 points despite allowing 3.15 goals per game.
There are reasons to believe another increase is possible. Chinakhov has established himself as a dangerous shooter, Robertson scored twice in his Pittsburgh debut, and several younger forwards are expected to receive larger opportunities.
Reaching 300 goals would require only 10 more than last season, making the prediction bold but measurable. Pittsburgh’s challenge will be maintaining that offensive pace while staying healthier and improving the defensive side of its game.
Malkin could produce another 70-point season
Evgeni Malkin enters his 21st season with Pittsburgh after recording 61 points in only 56 games during 2025-26. His 19 goals and 42 assists showed that the veteran center remained productive despite missing significant time.
A 70-point season would therefore require both health and sustained production. Malkin’s previous season works in his favor because his 61 points came at a pace of more than 89 points over 82 games, although maintaining that rate at age 40 remains challenging.
Pittsburgh also has reasons to keep Malkin involved offensively. NHL.com noted his chemistry with Chinakhov, while Malkin remains part of the club’s veteran core alongside Crosby and Letang. Their experience could continue driving Pittsburgh’s attack.
The defense could quietly improve
The Penguins allowed 258 goals last season, placing their defensive performance well behind their offensive output. Their offseason roster changes included Sam Girard, Kaedan Korczak, Declan Carlile and Trevor van Riemsdyk joining a group featuring Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson.
That combination creates an interesting possibility. Pittsburgh does not necessarily need to become one of the NHL’s strongest defensive teams; even a moderate improvement could make its high-scoring attack more sustainable over 82 games.
The opening-night shutout against Philadelphia was encouraging, particularly because Silovs faced only 19 shots. It remains far too early to draw a season-long conclusion, but Pittsburgh’s new defensive mix deserves close attention.
The veteran core could make another playoff push
Crosby, Malkin and Letang remain central to Pittsburgh’s identity, but the surrounding roster looks increasingly important. The Penguins’ finalized 22-player roster includes 16 players who dressed for the team last season and several new additions.
Crosby is entering his 22nd season with Pittsburgh, while Malkin and Letang are beginning their 21st seasons with the franchise. Their continued availability gives the Penguins an unusual amount of experience while younger players develop around them.
The season will ultimately depend on more than individual milestones. Pittsburgh needs its scoring depth, goaltending, and defensive structure to hold together. If those areas develop as expected, another postseason appearance would become a realistic target.
Fun fact: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are beginning another season together in Pittsburgh. As of the 2026-27 season, the trio has played more seasons for one Pittsburgh sports franchise than any other group of athletes.
TL;DR
- The Penguins could return to the playoffs after earning 98 points last season.
- Egor Chinakhov has the tools and opportunity to challenge 30 goals.
- Ville Koivunen could make a major second-year NHL jump.
- Sergei Murashov could eventually challenge for the No. 1 goalie role.
- Pittsburgh could surpass 300 goals with improved offensive depth.
- Evgeni Malkin could reach 70 points if he stays healthy.
- Defensive improvement could determine how far the Penguins go.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
