Penguins' January report card shows strong team performances

The Pittsburgh Penguins went 11-2-2 in January, and a report-style grading assigned mostly A and B marks across the roster, reflecting a strong month of play.

The Pittsburgh Penguins went 11-2-2 in January. Their two regulation losses were each by one goal, and their shootout losses followed late comebacks that still produced a point. The article described the month as one of the greatest of the Sidney Crosby era and said it helped move the team toward a stronger playoff outlook. Nearly every player on the roster received a positive grade in the report-style review. Notable points from January: - The team record was 11-2-2, with narrow regulation losses and two shootout setbacks that followed late comebacks. - Sidney Crosby was graded B-plus, finishing with 18 points in 15 games and recording one point in his last three outings of the month. - Evgeni Malkin received an A after posting 13 points in 12 games and returning from injury coincided with improved team play. - Kirill Chinakhov scored six goals in January and was described as a game-wrecker with notable speed and shot threat. - Several depth forwards earned A-plus grades, including Blake Lizotte (10 points, +8), Connor Dewar (11 points, +13) and Noel Acciari (7 points, +9). - Goaltending notes included Stuart Skinner earning an A-plus after losing only one game in January (a 1-0 game) and Arturs Silovs receiving an A-minus with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. Summary: January's run was presented as a significant boost to the Penguins' season and was described in the article as elevating the team's playoff outlook. Undetermined at this time.