Penguins Play the Devils and Retire Jagr's Number
Welcome to the THW Pittsburgh Penguins Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Penguins writers.
Today we look at tonight’s (Nov. 16) Penguins game at home against the Devils and how their recent play sets them up for success against a conference rival, and the Penguins will finally raise Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68 to the rafters where it belongs.
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Now on to the good stuff…
Penguins Gameday Preview: New Jersey Devils 11/16/23
November 16, 2023 by George Majchrzak
On Tuesday night (Nov. 14), the Pittsburgh Penguins visited the Columbus Blue Jackets looking for stability against a conference foe. After defeating the Blue Jackets 5-3, they now find themselves to be one of the two hottest teams in the NHL, with only them and the Florida Panthers riding a five-game winning streak.
Now 8-6-0, tonight (Nov. 16), the Penguins host the 7-6-1 New Jersey Devils, a team that was expected to be among the Eastern Conference leaders this season. However, they have had their own challenges out the gate, including the early loss of star center Jack Hughes for several games after he started white hot with an NHL-leading (at the time) 20 points through 10 games. They are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday and have dropped their last three games.
With Hughes out of the lineup, the Devils will look to tame a Penguins team that appears to have found a formula that suits them. Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson are now both comfortable and riding scoring streaks, and it looks to be full speed ahead in their quest to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.
Note: Timo Meier is a gametime decision.
Penguins’ Strong Play Sets Them Up for Success vs. Devils
November 16, 2023 by Sylvie McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a winning streak that started in California on Saturday, Nov. 4, against the San Jose Sharks. The Penguins defeated the Sharks 10-2 in the first of their three-game road trip. They went on to beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Nov. 7 and the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on Nov. 9. Before heading to California, Pittsburgh was dead last in the Metropolitan Division, and their playoff hopes did not look good. Now they are back in the race and have a big division rivalry game on Thursday, Nov. 16, against the New Jersey Devils. Has the team finally figured out the recipe for success?
Penguins Finally Retiring Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68
November 16, 2023 by Ben Wagner
On Feb. 18 at PPG Paints Arena, a hockey legend will take his rightful place alongside the other legends of the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ franchise. Forward Jaromír Jágr, currently player-owner of the Kladno Knights of the Czech Extraliga and one of the best players in the history of the NHL, will have his number raised to the rafters alongside his former teammate Mario Lemieux, in recognition of one of the greatest and most captivating hockey careers of all time.
The honor comes at a time of tension between Jágr’s camp and the Hockey Hall of Fame, but it will forever represent the bond between the city of Pittsburgh and Jágr.