What a 28-Year-Old Right-Winger Adds to the Penguins 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Lineup
On Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, it was announced that Penguins right-winger Justin Brazeau would be making his first start in the postseason. Brazeau had been listed as a healthy scratch for the Penguins' first two 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff games against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Pens lost both games at home: first, 3-2, then 3-0. While Pittsburgh’s goaltending has been a slight issue, it has not been its biggest concern. Stuart Skinner has started in the net in both games so far, allowing five goals on 43 shots. Pittsburgh’s defense and offensive game plans have both fallen flat entering the playoffs. Players such as Sidney Crosby, Anthony Mantha, Egor Chinakhov, and Rickard Rakell have been practically kept off the scoreboard. Some of the Penguins' top point-scorers have recorded just one assist through two games and have seemed like shells of themselves. With the return of Brazeau and a retooling of the lines back to where they had been, Pittsburgh may have a chance for rejuvenation heading into Philadelphia.
With tensions high due to a deep-seated rivalry returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was surprising to see Penguins head coach Dan Muse choose to list the six-foot-six forward as a healthy scratch. ‘Braz’, as his teammates call him, recorded a career-high 34 points through 64 games during the regular season: 17 goals and 17 assists. He hit a slump, as he did not record a single point in his last seven games. Brazeau had a good attitude when it came to sitting out the Pens' first two rivalry matchups, stating, “This time of year, it’s just about winning games. Whether who’s in or out, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not above the individual.” Based on the Penguins' morning skate before Game Three, Braz was seen skating with Chinakhov, taking the left wing as rookie Ben Kindel skated as the center. While this line would be a new matchup for the Penguins, Kindel and Brazeau played more than 280 minutes together during the regular season, typically with Mantha at the other wing. All three players were top 10 on the Penguins in terms of goals scored, and the implementation of Brazeau led this line to become an offensive powerhouse.
The Penguins are looking to implement a new look in their Game Three matchup against the Flyers, and Braz could be the exact change they’re looking for. Brazeau enters as yet another player that Muse and Penguins President of Hockey Operations, Kyle Dubas, brought in to join this evolving Penguins team, and has excelled in this new system. With the potential of a series sweep for the Flyers in play, Brazeau may be the perfect piece to help the Pens steal a game before heading back to Pittsburgh for a crucial Game Five. In Game Two, the Penguins had no issue getting the puck to their offensive guys to take shots; however, actually getting the puck on the net was a different issue. Pittsburgh recorded just 27 shots on goal, despite having 75 total shot attempts, 40 more than the Flyers did with 35 shot attempts. Flyers goalie Dan Vladar stopped all 27 shots on goal, but many of the shots were simple saves, shot directly at his chest or torso. The Penguins suffered turnovers, bad defensive positioning, and just a really slow level of play. If the Penguins have any chance of coming back in this series, down two to nothing, Brazeau will have to pull out of his seven-game slump and light the Flyers up.
