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The real reason the Pittsburgh Penguins suddenly look unstoppable, revealed by a forward
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Anthony Mantha has the Pittsburgh Penguins on a win streak, and the heat is real because depth scoring is finally driving the bus.
Mantha put a loud stamp on Thursday, posting 1-2-3 in a 6-2 win over Chicago.
That result pushed Pittsburgh to 27-14-11.
The bigger tell is the math, the Penguins have outscored teams 25-10 in their last five games.
It is not one line hogging the spotlight, it is pressure coming in waves.
"Honestly, I think it's just the way every single person in here is playing. Everyone's clicking. If you look at the time of ice, everyone is pretty much between 13-18 minutes. So, we're rolling lines and no matter who's on, something can happen."
- Anthony Mantha
- Anthony Mantha
Mantha basically said it out loud, ice time is spread around, and the bench keeps rolling.
That kind of balance matters because legs stay fresh, and matchups get messy for the other coach.
It also forces defenders to play honest, because the "easy" line can still burn you off the rush.
Anthony Mantha has the Pittsburgh Penguins playing connected
Pens fans have been begging for this, a team that looks dangerous even when the stars are catching a breath.
In the Chicago game, the scoring reads like a full roster win, not a one-man show.
Mantha’s season line sits at 17-21-38, and he’s earning those points in transition and around the slot.
He’s also a nice fit for this identity, because he can finish a rush, then make the next play instead of forcing one.
That is how you get four-goal periods, and how you keep them coming.
Pittsburgh signed Mantha as a free agent last summer, and right now it looks like a bet that’s paying off in the standings.
Keep rolling lines like this and the next opponent can’t just circle Crosby and call it a plan.
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