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New Penguins Lines Revealed as Mike Sullivan Exploring Tactics for Playoff Push

Originally posted on Hockey Unplugged
By Graham Montgomery | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 7:19 PM ET

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is experimenting with new defense pairs today as he tries to rally his team for a playoff push.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won five of their last six games which has them within striking distance of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Currently, that spot is held by the Montreal Canadiens, who have 74 points on the season.

Pittsburgh now has 68 points, putting them six points back with eleven games left to play.

It is still a longshot, but the hot stretch has kept the season alive for now.

Furthermore, head coach Mike Sullivan has not given up. He is still trying new ways to give his team the best chance to win every night.

Lately, he has been experimenting with his defense pairs. During the team's last game, new blueliner Conor Timmins was placed with Kris Letang just as an example.

Although the Penguins won that game by a score of 6-3, it appears as though Sullivan was not fully satisfied with that pair's game as he looks to be splitting them up already.

At practice this morning, Timmins was with Erik Karlsson, with the three-time Norris winner playing on the left side of the ice.

Timmins has been very solid for Kyle Dubas' Penguins since the general manager acquired him in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In six games with the team he has a goal, four points, and a team-leading +8 rating.

If the Penguins are going to make the playoffs this year, Timmins will have to keep putting up performances like that, but the core players will do much of the heavy lifting.

Sidney Crosby has proven he can still do it as he has 76 points in 69 games this year so who knows, maybe he has one last trick up his sleeve.

This article first appeared on Hockey Unplugged and was syndicated with permission.

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