A lot to like for Kyle Dubas during the Penguins' 3-game win streak

The Pittsburgh Penguin who had the best night on Thursday wasn’t even on the ice.

It was general manager Kyle Dubas.

Well, unless he is quietly rooting for the team to finish with as bad of a record as possible so that it can boost the odds of getting the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

Aside from that, though, Dubas must’ve enjoyed watching Thursday night’s 5-3 win from the upper reaches of PPG Paints Arena. Two of the goals were scored by ex-Toronto Maple Leaf acquisitions Conor Timmons and Connor Dewar, players he snagged before the trade deadline.

Rickard Rakell, who Dubas retained at the deadline despite significant outside pressure to trade him, had a goal and an assist.

Even Tristan Jarry, the once exiled goalie who Dubas regrettably signed to a five-year, $26.9 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason, stacked up a third straight win.

“The last three games are three of the best games that (Jarry) has played all year for us,” coach Mike Sullivan said after the win Thursday. “He’s ultra-competitive in there. He’s battling on pucks. If you look at our last three games, he is the main difference.”

Since Sunday, in three straight wins against Minnesota, Vegas, and St. Louis, Jarry has stopped 99 of 103 shots.

“It’s a tough league to win in, especially to win consecutively,” Jarry said. “Just being able to get a couple in a row really helps confidence.”

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These three straight victories account for the franchise’s longest win streak since a four-game stretch Nov. 27-Dec. 3. All of this is occurring after Dubas started selling off pieces from the roster at the deadline last week.

“Our leaders in this room lead the way,” Rakell said. “It doesn’t work here if you don’t go all the way and (don’t) play hard until the finish line.”

Keeping Rakell has been a big part of the Pens’ recent improvement. He has five goals and nine points in seven games this month.

“He has the ability to change his angle,” Sullivan said. “He has a deceptive release. He’s brave. He is willing to go to the battle areas. He can play in tight space. He doesn’t need a lot of separation. He’s a smart player. What’s impressed me about (Rakell) this year is his ability to sustain (his) level of play.”

Getting those goal contributions Thursday from Dewar and Timmins were bonuses. Neither player was acquired for goal-scoring prowess. But both showed offensive flash against the Blues in necessary spots.

Timmins got the second goal of the game on a shot from just inside the right face-off dot to make it 2-0 Pittsburgh in the second period.

“I went out to the weak side and tried to jump down on (the puck). They gave me some space to take it to the net, and I just tried to fire it,” Timmins said.

THE NEW GUY JUST BOUGHT EVERYBODY BIG MACS! ????

Here's how to cash in your @McDonalds offer: https://t.co/QH7j1DPz1i pic.twitter.com/eDIP02SBzn

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 14, 2025

Just like Timmins, Dewar’s goal was his first as a Penguin. He streaked down the left wing in transition late in the second and polished off a pretty feed from Blake Lizotte.

Make that two former Leafs with their first goals for the Penguins tonight as Connor Dewar pots one backdoor! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/xUUjGEJHhm

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 14, 2025

“He goes to the net. That came to the forefront on the goal he scored. He drives the back post. It was a heckuva play by ‘Lizzo,’” Sullivan said of Dewar. “As for Conor Timmins, we really like what we’ve seen at this point. He’s a smart player. He is a big body. He is solid. He is thick. He has a heaviness to him at the netfront in the battle areas. But he has an offensive dimension to his game.”

With the exception of Rakell, it’s unclear if any of those guys have a long-term future in Pittsburgh. The team may still try to trade Jarry this summer. Conor and Connor may just be fringe parts of the organization’s ongoing rebuild.

However, one week removed from the deadline, Dubas has to be happy with the way things are working out.

Until he looks at the lottery odds if this trend continues.