The Pittsburgh Penguins closed out 2025 with a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena, marking their second consecutive victory since the holiday break. The Penguins, who play their home games at PPG Paints Arena in downtown Pittsburgh, are recognized for consistent competition and multiple Stanley Cup titles in the National Hockey League (official website).
Anthony Mantha commented on the significance of the victory: “The last couple of years, Carolina has had a lot of team’s numbers. They’ve been at the top of the division for a couple of years in a row. You just know that it’s a hard game against them. So, we were ready. Obviously, [Skinner] made some great saves for us. We just took over.”
Five players registered multiple points during the match: Anthony Mantha (2 goals), Justin Brazeau (1 goal and 1 assist), Tommy Novak (1 goal and 1 assist), Bryan Rust (2 assists), and Erik Karlsson (2 assists).
Head Coach Dan Muse addressed how his team managed to overcome Carolina’s defensive structure: “It’s just that balance of recognizing when things aren’t there. I think we’ve got the ability to create their off the forecheck and put ourselves in good positions that way. Finding that balance is important, and I thought it was a real good step in the right direction here tonight.”
Early in the game, aggressive forechecking by Pittsburgh’s top line led to Sidney Crosby scoring after assists from Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
Justin Brazeau continued his strong performance following a hat trick against Chicago earlier in the week. He described his highlight-reel goal: “Coming off the bench, I was just trying to get to a spot, honestly, to get it in,” Brazeau said. “[Kulak] made a great look to me. It was kind of a lucky one. Just chipped it and got a lucky one in.”
Brett Kulak earned his first point as a Penguin with an assist on Brazeau’s goal—also marking Kulak’s 100th career assist—while Brazeau reached 12 goals this season after surpassing last year’s personal best.
Brazeau reflected on his current form: “The puck seems to be going in,” he said. “It’s one of those things I felt like when I got back, I had some games where I had some chances, and they didn’t go in. And now, they’re all going in. I’ll take them when they come like that. But I’m just happier with how I’m playing, getting back that spot.”
With Evgeni Malkin sidelined due to injury earlier this season, both Brazeau and Mantha have developed chemistry together on ice.
Tommy Novak filled Malkin’s role on Pittsburgh’s second line and scored early in the second period before Mantha extended his own goal streak with another tally assisted by Brazeau.
Mantha explained their teamwork: “Kind of created a two-on-two,” he said. “He let go, and I tried to beat that guy one-on-one, and I used a Braz, and he just gave me a perfect dish for a redirect there. So, great play all around.”
Goaltender Stuart Skinner helped preserve Pittsburgh’s lead late into regulation as Carolina pressed offensively.
“He had to come up with some big saves, and some of those saves came at critical moments in the game as well,” Muse said about Skinner’s contribution.“I think overall we did a better job in front of him tonight too.It was combination both things,but his game was on.”
Skinner spoke about adapting since joining Pittsburgh:“Tonight was really good.The guys have been doing really good job at communicating with me.We found some really good chemistry back there.So,I know first couple games might be little bit wonky just because there’s subtle changes,but we’ve done really good job finding that chemistry pretty quickly here.”
After defeating one of Eastern Conference’s top teams,the Penguins aim build upon this momentum heading into next year.They remain integral part city sports culture through community engagement,youth development programs,and fan involvement (official website).
Brazeau summarized:“They’re obviously fast team likes play aggressive.We did really good job being ready for it making sure we were right spots support each other make plays underneath.It shows.It’s one things we’ve got build off something like that.”
