Tommy Novak has choice words for Egor Chinakhov: "Pretty crazy"

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Daniel Lucente
January 22, 2026 (9:33)

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Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Tommy Novak called Egor Chinakhov's release "pretty crazy," and you can hear the disbelief when he talks about how fast it jumps.

Wednesday in Calgary, that speed turned into real damage in a 4-1 Penguins win, pushing Pittsburgh to 24-14-11.

The play was simple and nasty, Evgeni Malkin slid it across, Novak dropped it, Chinakhov snapped it from the slot.

Penguins coach Dan Muse basically agreed with Novak, saying it's a dangerous shot because it comes off so quick.

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Chinakhov's goal was his fourth as a Penguin per that tweet above, and it sure looked like a guy who loves shooting first.

He's 24, drafted in 2020 round 1, 21st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the raw talent has never been the question.

On the season he's at 5-4-9 in 36 games, and his Penguins slice shows 2-1-3 in seven games.

The fanbase mood is shifting from eye rolls to wait a second, because this line is finally doing something that scares opponents.

Novak's value is the pause, he holds pucks just long enough to pull a defender, then feeds the shooter into space.

Elite Prospects has Novak at 1-4-5 over his last five games, and his own backhand roof job in Calgary matched the confidence.

If that shot keeps ripping like this, the man advantage gets a new one touch option from the flank, and teams have to respect it.

Chinakhov is on a 2.1 million cap hit in 25/26, with restricted free agent stakes coming fast.

Pittsburgh is 3-0-2 in its last five, and the next test comes Thursday in Edmonton with momentum on the plane.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

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JANVIER 22\|138 ANSWERS Tommy Novak has choice words for Egor Chinakhov: "Pretty crazy" Should Tommy Novak stay glued to Egor Chinakhov all season?
Yes	120	87 %
No	18	13 %
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