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Blake Lizotte leaves the Penguins for personal reasons, and the reason is revealed
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Blake Lizotte is out vs Buffalo tonight, and the Pittsburgh Penguins lose a penalty-kill heartbeat.
The team listed Lizotte as unavailable for personal reasons, with his wife expecting the birth of their first child.
That means no Lizotte when Pittsburgh visits the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
This is not a top-six headline, but it matters because his minutes are hard minutes.
Lizotte’s value is in the ugly areas, first touch on the forecheck, quick stops in the neutral zone, and clean clears when the man advantage tilts the ice.
He’s also chipped in offense this season, sitting at 6-11-17.
The timing is interesting, because Pittsburgh just locked him up long-term with a three-year extension that runs through 2028-29 at a $2.25 million cap hit.
That deal screams trust, because coaches do not hand out term to passengers.
Lizotte is 28, joined the Penguins as a free agent in July 2024, and built his niche fast with pace and bite.
Blake Lizotte absence tests the Pittsburgh Penguins identity
Penguins fans will be happy for him, but they will still groan the first time Buffalo wins a draw clean and gets set.
Without Lizotte, the bottom six has to play louder, because his line usually sets the forecheck tone that protects the blue line.
On the penalty kill, his reads are simple and ruthless, take away the middle, pressure the half wall, and live with point shots.
If Pittsburgh spends more time chasing, the defense will feel it between shifts, not just on the scoreboard.
For one night, though, hockey takes the back seat, and it should.
Now the question is whether the Penguins can keep their details sharp enough to steal two points in Buffalo.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman breaks his silence after being hit with 20-game suspension
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman breaks his silence after being hit with 20-game suspension
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 5|93 ANSWERS Blake Lizotte leaves the Penguins for personal reasons, and the reason is revealed Will Blake Lizotte’s absence hurt the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo tonight? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 41.9 % |
| No | 54 | 58.1 % |
| List of polls | ||