Penguins Recently Signed Goaltender Is Ready to Build on His Playoff Success in 26-27
The Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltending has been in a dilemma since Marc-André Fleury left for the Las Vegas Golden Knights after the 16-17 season. Tristan Jarry, Fleury’s successor, shone in Pittsburgh for many seasons, including leading the league with six shutouts in 23-24, but after becoming one of the biggest “feast or famine” netminders in the league, according to an unnamed Reddit user, Pittsburgh dealt him to the Edmonton Oilers, where he became a liability more than anything. The 25-26 season, Jarry’s last in Pittsburgh, featured 25-year-old Artūrs Šilovs as the primary goaltender. Still technically a rookie, despite having spent some time in the NHL each of the prior three seasons, the Latvian goaltender had a solid, but clearly up-and-down season for the Steel City. Through 38 games, Šilovs went 19-12-8, had a .887% save percentage, and a 3.07 goals-allowed-average. His two shutouts were also the first of his career. What was most impressive about Šilovs’ last season was his ability to be the spark the Penguins desperately needed and light a fire underneath them, especially in their Battle of Pennsylvania during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.
During this playoff series, Stuart Skinner started in net through the first three games, leading the Penguins to be down 3-0 in the series. Heading into Game Four, Penguins head coach Dan Muse, along with Penguins GM and President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas, announced that Šilovs would get the start. The 25-year-old Latvian thrived, winning Games Four and Five for the black and yellow, and playing a phenomenal Game Six, before ultimately allowing the Flyers to sneak in a goal with just two-and-a-half minutes remaining. Through this game, the 2025 Calder Cup Playoff MVP stopped 31 of 32 shots with a .969% save percentage, and in his three playoff games, he went 2-1, with a 1.52 goals-allowed-average and a .939% save percentage.
Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson noted, "I don't think you can ask for more.” Muse added, “For him to come into this series the way that he did, I can’t say enough about him. For him to come in and play that type of game, it’s just a huge credit to him and everything he does.” This big-moment ability is one of the reasons the Penguins traded for Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks. Not only was he the 2025 Calder Cup Playoff MVP, leading the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Final, but he was also named MVP of the 2023 World Championship, as he goal-tended Latvia to a bronze medal. “For us, knowing he’s been able to step up and pull through in difficult moments in his career, it’s hard to find goalies who have that same thing,” noted Dubas.
Šilovs alternating play between himself, Jarry, and eventually Skinner was roughly the same as the other two. In terms of their GAA and save percentage, they were nearly identical, but the 25-year-old Latvian has that edge of standing out and delivering when it is needed most. He was named the starting goaltender for Latvia’s Olympic team in the 2026 Milan and Cortina games, and helped the team win its first game since 2014 in a 4-3 victory in which he saved 26/29 shots. Šilovs understands that these experiences from his first full NHL season have prepared him for the future, while also admitting how long and tiring the season was.
The 25-year-old Latvian spoke in an interview, saying, “Yeah, I felt it was a long year. Coming back from Europe took a toll on us. It was pretty hard to get back, but I feel like from there, things went our way and we started to win games.” Winning is exactly what Šilovs needed, giving him that chance in the playoffs to show what he was capable of. It truly was Šilovs remarkable playoff success that led to his re-signing, while Skinner departed for the Winnipeg Jets. Now, after recovering from a nagging knee injury he dealt with all season, Šilovs is ready to make the most of his second year with the Pens. “I’m just trying to do my best for all these guys. They deserve the best, so I want to do my role and be the last guy that they can depend on,” said the young and hungry Penguins goaltender.
