Cleveland Monsters vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
CLEVELAND, OH – On February 27, 2026, the Cleveland Monsters faced off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Rocket Arena, where left wing Roman Ahcan showcased his skills amidst a competitive matchup. (Photo courtesy of Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
Recent Performance of the Penguins
After a challenging stretch, the Penguins managed to break free from a five-game losing skid, securing a crucial victory against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last Saturday with a score of 3-1, highlighted by a timely goal from Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty has become a key player, notching five total points in March thus far, positioning himself as a pivotal contributor to the Penguins’ offense.
Despite this much-needed win, the Penguins had faced difficulties earlier in the week, succumbing to the Hershey Bears and suffering a tough overtime defeat against Lehigh Valley. On March 13, they were edged out by the Bears 4-2. The game started poorly for Wilkes-Barre, as they fell behind 3-0 in the second period, although they fought back in the third with goals from Aidan McDonough and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, failing to achieve the comeback they desperately sought.
The following day, the Penguins were again bested by the Phantoms in a heartbreaking overtime loss, allowing Lehigh Valley to tie the game in the final minutes and steal the win during a power play in overtime. However, less than 24 hours later, the Penguins rebounded impressively. Their latest victory had goals from McGroarty, Gabe Klassen, and Owen Pickering, which asserted their dominance over Lehigh Valley, boasting an impressive 7-0-1-1 record against them this season. Pickering’s goal marked a notable improvement in his performance, increasing his season total to six—an encouraging sign compared to his two goals from the previous year.
Challenges and Roster Changes
The Penguins have needed to overcome their tendency to fall behind early in games, as evidenced in their previous matches. Some roster changes have also impacted their performance; Jack St. Ivany has returned to Pittsburgh, while Alexander Alexeyev has come back to the AHL squad after a brief stint in the NHL without seeing game action. Unfortunately, Tristan Broz is out due to injury. Meanwhile, Avery Hayes, having recently been a healthy scratch in the NHL, may find playing time limited if the Pittsburgh roster swells with the anticipated return of Sidney Crosby.
Looking Ahead
As the Penguins gear up for Game #60, they are in a strong position to secure a playoff spot, needing just one point to clinch their entry. With 12 games remaining, they also aim for a second-place finish with a target of gaining 19 more points or having Charlotte drop that many from their tally. Further strategic additions might include Cruz Lucius from Arizona State, who has yet to sign a contract but is considering his options for the remainder of the season.
Looking ahead, the Penguins are set for a rare road trip across Canada to face three tough opponents in the North Division: Laval, Belleville, and Toronto. This trip could be instrumental in solidifying their playoff position and securing essential seeding ahead of the postseason.
