With Washington's recent acquisitions of Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch, the team has sent Lapierre to Pittsburgh in exchange for 2027 third-round and 2028 fifth-round draft picks. The 24-year-old Lapierre played a career-high 74 games with Washington last season, but saw a slightly diminished role, averaging only 8:50 time-on-ice while scoring 16 points (4G / 12A).
Okuliar was an undrafted free agent who has played one season in North America (2024-25) since signing with the Florida Panthers in April 2024. He spent the 2025-26 season in the Swedish Hockey League with Skellefteå AIK, recording 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 46 regular-season games. He also finished second on the team in playoff scoring with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists), helping Skellefteå AIK capture its fifth Le Mat Trophy as SHL champions in club history.
Malkin, a future Hall-of-Fame player, was drafted 2nd-overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the team for his entire career, which will continue for at least one more season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension. The 39-year-old Malkin had an excellent 2025-26 season, despite battling injuries, scoring 61 points (19G / 42A) in 56 games. It marked his best offensive production (1.09 PTS / GP) since the 2019-20 season (1.35 PTS / GP).
Dewar is coming off of his best NHL season and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old forward averaged 13:55 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (14G / 16A) in 78 games this season.
Solovyov was acquired mid-season in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche, and had a more prominent role after joining the Penguins. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:06 time-on-ice, recording five assists, 14 blocks, and 16 hits in 14 games with Pittsburgh.
Stuart Skinner was serviceable for the Penguins in the first three games of the series, but after being in a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit, Head Coach Dan Muse decided to turn to Arturs Silovs in Game Four, and has not regretted the decision. The 25-year-old Silovs has been excellent since taking over the Penguins' crease in the last two games, narrowing the series to 3-2, posting a solid 2.00 GAA and .920 SV%. The Penguins will try to force a Game Seven, entering Game Six as slight +106 road underdogs.
After relying on Stuart Skinner in the first three games against the Philadelphia Flyers, falling to a 3-0 series deficit, the Penguins switched the script in Game Four and turned to Silovs. The 25-year-old Latvian goalie came up big, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win, helping the Penguins narrow their series to 3-1. Silovs was inconsistent this season, but was excellent in his only regular-season appearance against the Fleyrs as well, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win. The Penguins enter Game Five as -129 home favourites.
After relying on Stuart Skinner in the first three games against the Philadelphia Flyers, falling to a 3-0 series deficit, the Penguins switched the script in Game Four and turned to Silovs. The 25-year-old Latvian goalie came up big, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 4-2 win, helping the Penguins narrow their series to 3-1. Silovs was inconsistent this season, but was excellent in his only regular-season appearance against the Fleyrs as well, saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 win. The Penguins enter Game Five as -129 home favourites.
With Pittsburgh desperate to keep their season alive, Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 vs. Philadelphia as Elmer Soderblom re-enters the Penguins' lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in one game this postseason despite picking up 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games played during the regular season.
With Pittsburgh on the brink of elimination ahead of Game 4 on Saturday, they will switch up their starting goaltender and let Arturs Silovs start between the pipes after Stuart Skinner posted a .873 SV% through three opening round loses. Saturday will be Silovs 11th career playoff appearance despite being just 25-year-old, after he led Vancouver on a run in his rookie season in 2023-24. Silovs will hope to be the saving grace for Pittsburgh's season as they head to Philadelphia on Saturday to avoid a series sweep.
Skinner was serviceable for Pittsburgh in Game Two, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%), but received no goal support in a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, as the offensively-challenged Penguins fell to a 0-2 series deficit. The 27-year-old Skinner has saved 38 of 43 shots (.884 SV%) through two games in the series and will need to be at his best on Wednesday in Game Three, with the Penguins entering a pivotal contest as slight +101 road underdogs.
Skinner was serviceable for Pittsburgh in Game Two, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%), but received no goal support in a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, as the offensively-challenged Penguins fell to a 0-2 series deficit. The 27-year-old Skinner has saved 38 of 43 shots (.884 SV%) through two games in the series and will need to be at his best on Wednesday in Game Three, with the Penguins entering a pivotal contest as slight +101 road underdogs.
Brazeau will make his Penguins' postseason debut on Wednesday, drawing into the lineup for Elmer Soderblom. The Penguins have been offensively challenged through two games in their series against the Philadelphia Flyers and hope Brazeau can give them a spark after scoring a career-high 34 points (17G / 17A) in 64 games this season.
Justin Brazeau will draw into Pittsburgh's lineup for Game Three, sending Soderblom to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Soderblom has zero points, four shots, and a -1 plus/minus through two games in the postseason.
Skinner was serviceable for Pittsburgh in Game One, but allowed two goals in the third period in an eventual 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Skinner had mixed results during his playoff career with the Edmonton Oilers, but had a winning 26-22 record over the past three postseasons. The Penguins enter a crucial Game Two, looking to tie the series, as -138 home favourites against the Flyers.
