NHL Regular Season Finale: Penguins vs. Blues
On April 14, 2026, the NHL regular season finale concluded for the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Penguins, opting for a roster devoid of their key players, including superstar Sidney Crosby and veteran Evgeni Malkin, presented a makeshift lineup as they prepared for the playoffs. Notably, newcomers Jake Livanavage and Rafael Harvey-Pinard took to the ice for their first NHL appearances, with Livanavage transitioning from college hockey after signing a two-year entry-level contract the previous year.
Game Highlights
The first period kicked off with the Blues enjoying early puck possession, yet the Penguins weathered the storm. Rutger McGroarty opened the scoring for Pittsburgh, taking advantage of a faceoff win by Kevin Hayes to find the net. The Penguins quickly doubled their lead when Avery Hayes capitalized on a shorthanded situation, finding the back of the net against Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. With Anthony Mantha scoring minutes later, Pittsburgh surged ahead 3-0 before St. Louis managed to respond with Jimmy Snuggerud‘s goal, bringing the score to 3-1 after the opening period.
As the second period began, the excitement continued with Elmer Soderblom showcasing his strength in a stunning goal that pushed the Penguins’ lead to 4-1. The Blues, however, weren’t deterred, as Oskar Sundqvist and Logan Mailloux each scored, narrowing the gap to 4-3. Amidst rising tensions, Jimmy Snuggerud tied the game with his second goal, completing a remarkable comeback for the Blues after trailing 3-0 and then 4-1.
In the vital third period, the game shifted dramatically with Arturs Silovs replacing Stuart Skinner in the net for Pittsburgh. The Blues seized control, taking a 5-4 lead with Dylan Holloway‘s goal just minutes in. Pavel Buchnevich further extended that advantage to 6-4, solidifying St. Louis’s momentum. Avery Hayes managed to score again for Pittsburgh late in the game, making it 6-5, but the Blues sealed the win with an empty-net goal from Holloway, resulting in a 7-5 victory and a dramatic end to the Penguins’ regular season.
Player Evaluations and Future Prospects
The game served as a stage for player evaluations ahead of the playoffs. Livanavage’s debut was promising despite the loss, showcasing a solid skating ability even amidst the challenges that come with playing in the NHL. Additionally, Kevin Hayes’s two assists marked an emotional moment against his former team, reflecting his perseverance throughout a difficult season. Players like McGroarty and Avery Hayes had significant moments, demonstrating their potential roles for the following year.
Overall, this match was a bittersweet conclusion to the Penguins’ season, acting as a preamble to their anticipated playoff clash against the rival Flyers. As the Penguins prepare for the postseason, they will aim to recover from the setbacks they faced during this unconventional finale, with the hope of achieving success in the upcoming playoff series.
