Perhaps few people represent the surprising nature of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ success this season better than Justin Brazeau.
The burly power forward scored the team’s first goal of 2025-26 during a season-opening 3-0 road win against the New York Rangers while setting career highs in goals (17) and points (34) over 64 games.
Pittsburgh goal!
— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) October 8, 2025
Scored by Justin Brazeau with 00:32 remaining in the 1st period.
Assisted by Evgeni Malkin.
New York: 0
Pittsburgh: 1#PITvsNYR #NYR #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/LO7jq7sCSq
His contributions were a significant factor in the Penguins’ return to the postseason.
But when the playoffs opened Saturday, Brazeau was a spectator as a healthy scratch for the first time this season during a 3-2 home loss to the rival Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of a first-round series.
That continued for Game 2 at PPG Paints Arena on Monday as Brazeau was one of five scratches for the Penguins.
With most of the roster healthy — at least healthy enough to be in the lineup — and the rise of trade deadline acquisition Elmer Soderblom, another power forward who has discovered a scoring touch, during the final stretches of the regular season, the Penguins opted to keep Soderblom in the lineup and scratch Brazeau.
“It’s tough anytime you’re not in the lineup,” Brazeau said. “But I’m just trying to do the best I can to support these guys. This time of year, it’s not about the individual. It’s about the team.”
As an undrafted player who bounced around the ECHL then the AHL before breaking through to the NHL as a 25-year-old, Brazeau has had plenty of conversations with coaches or general managers as to why he wasn’t in the lineup or not a part of the roster.
He had a similar discussion with Penguins coach Dan Muse in advance of Game 1.
“They’re not easy decisions, by any means,” Muse said. “He’s been a huge part of this team. You get to this time of year, and (if) everyone’s healthy — which we’re thankful for — there’s hard decisions to be made. The general conversation with everybody that’s out of the lineup right now is that everybody has to be ready. Things will change quick. We need everybody ready to go.
“I have a lot of confidence that he will be as well as other guys that were out (Saturday).”
While he is certainly not pleased to be a scratch, Brazeau fully understands and accepts the circumstances.
“It’s one of those things where a guy (Soderblom) earned a spot,” Brazeau said. “It’s professional sports. It’s professional hockey. If he gives us the best chance to win, I’m happy with that. Like I said, this time of year, it’s just about winning games. Whether who’s in or out, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not above the individual.”
Given his career arc, Brazeau simply has an appreciation for being on the roster of an NHL club, particularly one that has qualified for the postseason.
“If you asked me two years ago if I would be in this spot, I don’t think I would have said yes,” Brazeau said. “I was just in the (AHL). Didn’t have an NHL contract. Never knew where I’d be. Obviously, you never want to not be in the lineup and have those conversations. But I think if you look at the big picture, with where I’m at in my career, I just try to make sure I show up at the rink with a good attitude every day and support these guys.”
If the Penguins are to have a lengthy playoff run, they likely will need more than the same 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders over that span.
“I know that,” Brazeau said. “I’ve been through enough where I’ve played in the playoffs the last two years. Injuries happen. Stuff happens. I just try to be ready when my name gets called.”
