Kindel shines in homecoming, leads Penguins to 3=2 win over Canucks

By Canadian Press on January 26, 2026.

VANCOUVER — Ben Kindel didn’t disappoint the large, loud cheering section that showed up for his first NHL game in Vancouver.

The Pittsburgh Penguins rookie from nearby Coquitlam, B.C., scored two second-period goals in a 3-2 win over the Canucks Sunday.

The Penguins estimated around 190 people attended the game wanting to watch Kindel. The win gave Pittsburgh a sweep of their four-game Western Canada road trip.

“It’s obviously awesome,” said the 18-year-old who was selected 11th overall in last year’s draft. “There were lots of people that have been part of my life for a long time and have helped me make it here, so it’s great. This night is just about them as much.

“It was nice to score and get the win and cap off a great trip.”

Evgeni Malkin also scored in the second period for the Penguins (26-14-11).

Vancouver (17-30-5) made the game interesting with third-period goals from Jake DeBrusk and Teddy Blueger. The Canucks have just one win in their last 14 games (1-11-2).

Pittsburgh goaltender Stuart Skinner stopped 30 shots, including some big saves during a scramble in the dying moments of the game.

Goaltender Kevin Lankinen stopped 22 shots for the Canucks.

The five-foot-11, 182-pound Kindel played his junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen. He had 50 goals and 150 points in 133 games in two full seasons with Calgary.

With the Penguins, Kindel scored eight goals in his first 28 games. Before Sunday, he had gone 20 games without a goal. In 48 NHL games he has 10 goals and 12 assists.

“You want to try and help the team as much as you can,” said Kindel, who is the second-youngest player in the league behind defenceman Matthew Schaefer who was taken first overall by the New York Islanders.

“Scoring is one of those areas that you can help the team win. I don’t know if it’s as much about confidence, but just playing my game and the goals will come.”

Malkin and Kindel gave Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead with goals 3:17 apart in the second period.

Malkin opened the scoring by taking a pretty pass from Thomas Novak that went over a Canuck defender’s stick, then he beat Lankinen. Kindel made it 2-0 by directing in a shot from defenceman Ryan Shea. Before the period ended, he ripped a shot from the faceoff circle past Lankinen.

Pittsburgh head coach Dan Muse was impressed with the way Kindel responded to playing in front of family and friends.

“You saw that jump,” said Muse. “You know he’s going to be excited coming in here.

“He’s a special young man. He’s doing a great job, and I’m thrilled for him tonight but also thrilled that we got the win to make today even more special.”

Skinner was happy Kindel was able to put on a show for his supporters.

“We were super happy for him,” said Skinner, who lost his first three starts for the Penguins following a Dec. 12 trade from Edmonton, but now has won seven of eight games. “It’s pretty cool to watch him do what he does, especially in front of some family and friends.

“It’s a very special moment for him. I’m sure it probably brings him a lot of gratitude.”

During the four-game road trip Pittsburgh defeated Seattle 6-3 on Monday, Calgary 4-1 on Wednesday and then Edmonton 6-2 on Thursday.

The Penguins have points in 13 of their last 15 games with an 11-2-2 record

Kindel said the trip brought back a lot of memories and emotions.

“For me, coming here, coming to Calgary, it’s definitely a full-circle moment,” he said. “Two places that were a big part of my life. These two places are very special for me, so it’s been a great road trip.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2026.

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press