If Justin Brazeau could trademark a type of goal, he offered a perfect example of his work Tuesday.
During the second period of a 6-2 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Brazeau directed the puck into the net in a spectacularly messy display of vivid chaos.
Off a wrister by Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea from Colorado’s left circle, goaltender Scott Wedgwood made a sprawling save with his chest as the 6-foot-6, 232-pound Brazeau barged his big frame from the left side of the crease between Wedgewood and Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews.
Tumbling to the ice as Toews tried to hook him, Brazeau used his lengthy reach to scoop in the rebound from the slot, then shuffle a forehand shot that just barely eluded the right skate of kneeling Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski before kissing the left post and banking into the cage.
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The anarchy that created that goal was breathtaking. Until it was taken away by a coach’s challenge from the Avalanche on the accusation of goaltender interference.
Much to the chagrin of the Penguins — who are 0 for 8 on their own challenges along the lines of goaltender interference — the goal was wiped out.
“It’s a tough one,” Brazeau said Wednesday in Cranberry. “I don’t think there’s any true definition of the goalie interference (rule). I think every game, it kind of changes. It’s tough. It’s one of those things where I’ve just got to keep trying to get there as much as I can, and hopefully, one goes the right way.”
Brazeau has been involved in two other would-be goals for the Penguins this season that have been euthanized by coach’s challenges based on goaltender interference. But given how he has to play as a jumbo-sized power forward, that is simply a way of life. Goals are going to get called back.
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“I think throughout my career, I’ve had a couple of those a year where ones don’t count,” Brazeau said. “For myself, if I’m not getting there, I’m not doing what I need to do on the ice. Sometimes, that happens.”
Few have gone Brazeau’s way as of late. Or at least in a way that leads to the back of the net. In fact, he has been limited to two goals in his past 19 games.
That comes in stark contrast to the surprising pace he established to open the season by scoring six goals in the first 12 games of the season, second-most on the squad over that span, trailing only forward Sidney Crosby (eight).
— EN Videos (@ENVideos19) March 25, 2026
To be certain, Brazeau’s overall body of work this season still looks fantastic for an undrafted player. He has established career highs in goals (16) and points (30) in only 53 games.
But the past handful of weeks have definitely been leaner in terms of production.
An undisclosed injury that cost him four games earlier this month didn’t help that pursuit.
“I’m not going to blame it on the injury, but anytime something like that happens, it can throw you off your rhythm a little bit,” Brazeau said. “I’ve been happier over the last game and a half getting back to where I was. When I’m at my best, I’m around the net and making stuff happen that way. It started to happen the last game. I’ve just got to keep going with that.”
His coach concurs, citing Brazeau’s non-goal in the second period as well as a quality chance he generated in the third period, a one-timer from Colorado’s left circle that Wedgewood denied.
— EN Videos (@ENVideos19) March 25, 2026
“You saw last night, (the non-goal) got called back, but he’s there,” Dan Muse said. “Then you go in the third period, you saw the chance that he had where he gets a great shot off. It’s executed really well. The goalie makes a big save. He was around the net more last night. Getting some looks, opportunities off the rush, coming in. He’s putting himself in good spots. That’s what we’re looking for.
“When a player is not getting into those areas, that’s when I think we’ve got to dig deeper into it. I think he is. Yesterday was a good example of him being around the net or getting some opportunities off the rush and putting himself in good spots.”
Those spots on the ice are predominantly shaded with blue paint.
“I’ve just got to try to get there as much as I can,” Brazeau said. “And hopefully, they’ll go my way.”
