Penguins' Forward Depth Becoming Best in NHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins' forward depth is becoming a major strength as they continue to surprise the NHL.

Jan 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (19) reacts after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins are quickly climbing the standings in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. As the Winter Olympics break looms, the Pens are just six points back of the division lead and sit comfortably in a playoff position.

Through 52 games, the Penguins are exceeding expectations. Many pinned them as a lottery team with their core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang approaching 40 and three straight seasons missing the postseason.

As impressive as Crosby and Malkin have been, the defining piece of the Penguins' season has been their team depth. They've had strong goaltending from multiple goalies, the latest is Stuart Skinner. Their blue line has received huge contributions from players like Parker Wotherspoon and Ryan Shea. Standing above all of that is their forward depth. From the first to the fourth line, the Penguins might have the strongest forward depth in the entire NHL.

4th Line Production

No other team in the NHL is getting as much from its fourth line as the Penguins are. Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte and Noel Acciari have formed an elite trio. Three penalty killers by trade, they've been excellent on both ends of the ice. Dewar brings speed, Lizotte brings a tenacious, puck-hounding ability, and Acciari brings veteran awareness that translates well to his own end.

They aren't just a defensive situation group, though. Dewar has a career-best 13 goals in just 52 games, while Lizotte has 15 points and Acciari has 13. That rare combination of offensive production and defense mastery is what sets them apart from other fourth lines in the NHL.

A recent post from AR Analytics highlighted how effective they've been. A recent X post from them shared that among fourth lines in the NHL, the Penguins' trio ranks first in ice-time, third in expected goals percentage (54.4%), and first in goal percentage.

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari have played a total of 260.7 Minutes on the ice this season, with a 54.4 xGoals%.

Amongst 4th Lines they rank:
- 1st in TOI
- 3rd in xGoals%
- 1st in Goals%
- 28th in GP

It cannot be understated the value of having a sound, effective 4th Line. https://t.co/RmIs00bsgP

— ARAnalytics (@ARAnalytics) January 30, 2026

Jan 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Noel Acciari (55) and center Connor Dewar (19) react to a goal by center Blake Lizotte (46) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Rookie Impacts Keep Coming

A good team needs production from unexpected places. The Penguins have gotten it from their bottom-six group through the fourth line and exciting rookies and young players.

Recent first-round pick Ben Kindel is the latest example. Taken with the 11th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Kindel has been exceptional in his first NHL season. The 18-year-old center has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 49 games played. In addition, he's assumed the team's third-line center duties, giving the team an average of 15:25 minutes of ice time.

It's all led to the Penguins winning 27 of their first 52 games and sitting just six points back of the division lead. The organization's plan to improve their depth was supposed to be a more long-term one, but the success of the league's best forward depth has led to an unexpected playoff push.

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