Dan Muse provides update on Ben Kindel's status and future: 'Do what's best'
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Penguins head coach Dan Muse revealed that Ben Kindel will not play tonight, as the team has to do what's best for him and his future with this development plan.
The Penguins wrap up their three-game homestand tonight as they host the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena, with the puck set to be dropped at 7 PM.
Pittsburgh has dominated this matchup in recent years, going 14-6-1 in its last 21 meetings with the Sabres.
The success the Penguins have had vs. the Sabres in recent years
The Penguins have also won four of the last five at home against Buffalo and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 home games against them, dating back to March 2021.
Offence hasn't been an issue either, as Pittsburgh has scored three or more goals in 10 of its last 12 contests against the Sabres.
Special teams remain a major storyline for a specific reason. The Penguins sit first in the NHL in power-play percentage (32.0%) and rank fifth on the penalty kill (85.3%), numbers that bode well for a playoff-oriented team.
Despite having the fewest power-play opportunities in the league with 50, their 16 power-play goals are tied for eighth.
Sidney Crosby leads the way with six goals, tied for fifth among all skaters, and nine different Penguins have scored on the man advantage as well.
Defensively, Pittsburgh continues to excel. They've allowed the second-fewest goals in the NHL with 55, and have held opponents to two goals or fewer nine times this season, going 6-0-3 in those games.
Every Penguins goalie who has played this year, Arturs Silovs, Tristan Jarry, and Sergei Murashov, has recorded a shutout, a feat matched only by the defensively-minded Minnesota Wild.
Why Ben Kindel continues to be scratched regularly
Head coach Dan Muse confirmed Ville Koivunen will draw back into the lineup, while Ben Kindel sits as part of his development plan, as the team needs to take into consideration what is best for him now, as well as his future.
"The schedule is starting to ramp up a little bit more now, so we felt it was a good time... This allows us right now to do what's best for him now and also for the future."
- Dan Muse
- Dan Muse
Tristan Broz will also make his NHL debut. With strong special teams, solid defence, and a favourable matchup, the Penguins will look to close out their homestand on a high note against Buffalo.
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