Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has been practicing and is close to returning to the lineup! Hunter and Patrick begin the show discussing the impending return of Evgeni Malkin to the lineup, and his brand-new linemates, as well as his “new” position (1:32). Then, the team announced on Wednesday that defenseman Harrison Brunicke will be returning to his junior team after he returned from the World Junior Championships (13:13). Is this the right move for his development, or should he have been back with the Penguins? Finally, it’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to hand out our MVPs of the week in Warrior Helmet Wednesday! (22:00).

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The Penguins have played 41 games so far in the 2025-26 season, so it's time to hand out some midterm grades! Patrick and Hunter are taking a look back at the first half of the 2025-26 season and handing out some midterm grades for the roster, including the goaltending, some of the newcomers, and the rookies. (0:00) Then, they take the midterm grade focus off the ice and to the bench and the front office. How has the first season for Dan Muse been behind the bench, and how is Kyle Dubas doing in this phase of the rebuild? They answer those questions. (17:02) Finally, now that the halfway point is here, they also check in with their preseason bold predictions and if they're looking like they'll be right or wrong. (28:39)

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The Penguins' winning streak is now at five games thanks to an incredible comeback against the Blue Jackets! Hunter and Patrick begin the show with the first victory of the weekend, an absolute defensive masterclass against the Detroit Red Wings (1:30). They look at the team’s whole body of work defensively, how Yegor Chinakhov scored his first goal as a Penguin (6:00), and so much more. Then, with their backs to the wall, the Penguins were able to erase a 4-1 deficit and turn it into a 5-4 overtime win against Columbus (11:40). The captain had another brilliant performance, and so did the fourth line. Finally, the Penguins get a few days off after a rough stretch of games, but some big games loom this week. (23:12).

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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