Penguins' remaining games still mean something

It wasn’t an order.

Or even a guarantee.

More of a suggestion.

“Enjoy the show!”

That’s what forward Boko Imama said to a Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Friday after a morning skate in Cranberry.

Approximately eight hours later, Imama dazzled just anyone watching his team’s 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Including his teammates.

First, the hardscrabble Imama fought Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier, a legitimate heavyweight in his own regard, at center ice and invigorated a somewhat stale building.

Then, he wound up scoring the winning goal during the second period off a give-and-go sequence with linemates Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Bokondji Imama with 11:45 remaining in the 2nd period.

Assisted by Danton Heinen and Kevin Hayes.

Pittsburgh: 4
Columbus: 2#CBJvsPIT #LetsGoPens #CBJ pic.twitter.com/GvKSmn24f0

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 22, 2025

It was Imama’s first goal of the season and second of his career. And his teammates celebrated as if Imama had scored in the third overtime of Game 7 of a championship series to save the planet.

And not merely Game 71 of a lackluster 2024-25 regular season that likely will not lead postseason play.

The remainder of the Penguins’ schedule commands limited gravity as it pertains to the overall composition of the NHL’s standings, at least with regard to the 16 teams that make the playoffs.

But these final 11 games for the Penguins mean the world to the professional aspirations of players such as Imama who are fighting — literally, in some cases — for futures in the NHL.

The 28-year-old has 29 NHL games on his professional resume. He’d like that figure to grow beyond whatever remains of this season.

“These (final 11) games are not just any other games for me,” said Imama, a pending unrestricted free agent next season. “Actually, every day, I just take it day by day and I go as hard as I can, for sure. My goal is to definitely be back as a Penguin here next year.”

A similar scene played out 48 hours earlier when Joona Koppanen — a journeyman bottom-six forward whose journeys as a professional have largely been limited to the American Hockey League circuit — scored his first career NHL goal during a 4-2 home loss to the New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Joona Koppanen with 15:20 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Vladislav Kolyachonok and Kris Letang.

Pittsburgh: 1
New York: 0#NYIvsPIT #LetsGoPens #Isles pic.twitter.com/DQVNhalayd

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 18, 2025

Koppanen, 27, is in the final year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000 and has played in 11 NHL games.

“It’s a chance to show off,” Koppanen said. “Playing in the NHL, more people are watching. Of course, I’m trying to do my best to get a good deal in the summer wherever it’s going to be.”

Even members of the team who have far more secure statuses as NHLers see the importance these games carry for teammates seeking to ensure their futures.

“There’s always an importance to something,” goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic said. “You look back to last year. The last game of the year was meaningless in terms of standings and points. We weren’t getting into playoffs no matter what the score was. We were out of the playoff race. But it was (forward Jeff Carter’s) last game in the NHL. There was something to play for.

“Somebody always has something to play for, whether it’s (Carter) and his last game or Boko getting his first goal or having a big fight or (Koppanen) the other day, his first NHL goal. There’s just always something to play for. If not for yourself, for somebody else.”

These games mean something to guys like Imama and Koppanen.

“Always a thrill playing here,” Koppanen said. “Now, getting a couple of games, getting a little more ice time then ever before at this level. Try to enjoy it and do my best and stay here as long as I can.”

Notes: Penguins defenseman Sebastian Aho was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. … Coach Mike Sullivan indicated that injured defenseman Ryan Shea will travel with the team for an upcoming three-game road trip. A suspected left hand or wrist injury has sidelined Shea for the past five games. … Shea as well as injured forward Tommy Novak and P.O Joseph all worked out on the ice before practice. Novak and Joseph are currently sidelined with undisclosed ailments.