Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA

Penguins could benefit after divisional rival loses two star players


PUBLICATION
Jack Sutherland
January 6, 2026  (6:42 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

May 5, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) scores a goal on New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers just lost both Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin because of injuries, and this could greatly benefit the surging Pittsburgh Penguins in the divisional race.

The bad news for the New York Rangers could turn into good news for the surging Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won five straight games after their 5-4 OT win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
The Rangers have put defenseman Adam Fox on LTIR, and put goaltender Igor Shesterkin on IR, meaning that one of the top divisional foes of the Penguins is now considerably weaker for the time being.
In their places, the Rangers, who are now coached by ex-Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, have called up goaltender Spencer Martin and defenseman Scott Morrow from their American Hockey League affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Penguins aren't in the business of hoping for injuries on their competition, but it doesn't mean that they're not sorry to see it and won't hope to take full advantage of the opportunity.

The Penguins Have Won Five Straight Games

The Penguins, following a particularly rough December in which they set a new franchise record for the worst home stand thanks to six straight losses, have now won five games in a row.
Coming into the year having missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, they were not projected by many fans and analysts to have a realistic shot at ending that drought.
Multiple players were heavily involved in trade rumours during the summer, including Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson. Even Sidney Crosby, who scored the OT GWG against the Blue Jackets on Sunday, has been involved in rumours.
But their recent hot streak combined with the injury news of the Rangers could present even more runway for Pittsburgh to continue surging ahead.
POLL
JANVIER 6   |   124 ANSWERS
Penguins could benefit after divisional rival loses two star players

Can the Penguins surge to the top of the Metro division?

Yes9475.8 %
No3024.2 %
List of polls

HOCKEYUNPLUGGED
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT