Penguins' Odd Couple Fuels Secondary Scoring

Rookie Ben Kindel and veteran Anthony Mantha power the Penguins' third line during playoff push

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Rookie center Ben Kindel and veteran winger Anthony Mantha have formed an unlikely but productive duo on the Pittsburgh Penguins' third line, providing a much-needed boost to the team's secondary scoring as they aim to end their three-year playoff drought.

Why it matters

The Penguins' third line has been a weak spot for the team in recent years, but the pairing of the 18-year-old Kindel and the 32-year-old Mantha has helped fill that void. Their success has been crucial to the Penguins' playoff push, as the team looks to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

The details

Kindel, a 2025 first-round draft pick who was initially viewed as a reach, has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 53 games. Mantha, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has 20 goals and 22 assists in 56 games as he continues to rebound from a knee injury that cost him most of last season. The two have formed a formidable third line, with a 10-4 goal differential and a 63% expected goals rate in 128 minutes of 5-on-5 play.

  • Kindel was selected 11th overall by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Draft, a pick that surprised many at the time.
  • Kindel earned a roster spot with the Penguins out of training camp in September 2025.
  • Mantha reached the 20-goal mark for the fourth time in his career just before the Olympic break.

The players

Ben Kindel

An 18-year-old center who was a surprise first-round pick by the Penguins in 2025, Kindel has emerged as a key contributor on the team's third line with his vision, poise, and offensive skill.

Anthony Mantha

A 32-year-old winger who is on an incentive-laden contract with the Penguins, Mantha is having a bounce-back season after missing most of last year due to a knee injury.

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What they’re saying

“I think you've seen it throughout the entire year, just the vision, the poise, the ability to know where options are, the ability to find space. You know, I think he's been consistent with it. He's had different line mates. We put him on the wing for a little bit. And I think you've seen that offensive sense and that skill set pretty consistently throughout the entire year.”

— Dan Muse, Penguins Head Coach (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

“For me personally, that was a goal: to hit 20 before the break. It's easy to have a goal early in the year, but when you're getting close and actually reach it, it's something else. I'm playing really well, and I need to keep going.”

— Anthony Mantha (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.