Egor Chinakhov is giving the Penguins exactly what they were missing
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Cimon Asselin
Mar 24, 2026 (7:44 PM)
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Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Egor Chinakhov has given Dan Muse exactly what he needed in Pittsburgh, a jolt of offense that reshaped the Penguins forward group.
The move didn't turn heads right away. A trade out of Columbus, a reset, and a winger coming off a healthy scratch.
Now it's front and center.
Chinakhov has produced 25 points in 32 games with the Penguins, stepping into a role that carries real offensive weight.
That's not depth anymore. That's production you build around.
His recent run says even more. He posted 12 points in March, pushing the pace through the neutral zone and finishing plays with confidence.
That kind of stretch forces a coach's hand.
Muse didn't hesitate. Chinakhov moved up the lineup, away from limited minutes, into a steady top-nine role with power play time.
Pittsburgh leans into a new scoring layer
The Penguins are sitting on 86 points through 70 games, right in the middle of a tight playoff push.
They needed another scoring option beyond their top line. Chinakhov has answered that need.
His shot has always been a weapon. Now it's showing up every night, not just in flashes.
That changes how teams defend Pittsburgh.
Suddenly, there's more pressure coming off the second wave. More puck movement through the slot. More unpredictability once they set up in the offensive zone.
That's how you win tight games late in the season.
Before the trade, Chinakhov had just 6 points in 29 games with the Blue Jackets. Limited usage and little rhythm.
Different situation now.
He's getting touches, attacking off the rush, and staying involved shift after shift instead of rotating in and out.
That trust matters.
Muse didn't shelter him. He gave him real minutes, and Chinakhov responded right away.
If this continues, the Penguins didn't just tweak their depth.
They added a forward who can tilt a game when it matters most.
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