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Penguins trusting Arturs Silovs for playoff push against Jets firepower
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Dan Muse said Arturs Silovs starts for Pittsburgh against Winnipeg, and the Penguins are betting today on a 15-9-8 crease gamble.
Silovs is 24, a 2019 sixth-round pick drafted by the Vancouver Canucks. His cap hit is $850,000, and his deal expires after this season.
That matters because this is no longer just lineup housekeeping. It is roster evaluation in the middle of a playoff push.
Pittsburgh acquired Silovs for Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Cheap bets still create pressure when the crease is unsettled.
His season line sits at 15-9-8 with a 2.90 goals-against average, a .895 save percentage, and two shutouts through 32 starts.
The on-ice fit is simple. Silovs gives Pittsburgh a bigger frame, calmer puck tracking, and a better chance to survive broken coverage around the slot.
You can see the decision point in the post below, and Muse does not sound like a coach guessing here.
Arturs Silovs puts Pittsburgh Penguins under pressure
Fans will like the conviction, but they also know this start carries real teeth.
Silovs beat Colorado 7-2 in his last outing, stopping 25 of 27. That is the freshest evidence Muse has.
The larger read matters more. Pittsburgh is 34-18-16, and every crease decision now doubles as a look at next season.
Winnipeg already beat the Penguins 5-2 in the first meeting. That makes the rebound control piece impossible to ignore.
Mark Scheifele brings 31-52-83 into this matchup. Kyle Connor's release still forces goalies to hold edges longer than they want.
Muse is choosing structure over comfort, and Silovs now has one afternoon to justify the long view.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 21|64 ANSWERS Penguins trusting Arturs Silovs for playoff push against Jets firepower Did Dan Muse make the right call with Arturs Silovs against Winnipeg? | ||
| Yes | 48 | 75 % |
| No | 16 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||