Blake Lizotte generates energy (and offense) as Penguins' 3rd-line center

Blake Lizotte knew there was a chance he would not be able to line up at his listed position — center — when the season started. A move to the wing seemed like a probability.

That’s because the Pittsburgh Penguins had a surplus of veterans in the middle.

And sure enough, he was not at center on opening night.

But then again, he wasn’t even in the lineup.

A concussion Lizotte suffered during the preseason sidelined him for the first 11 games of the regular season. A second concussion kept him out of the lineup for an additional five games in mid-November.

But once he got healthy and once the team traded away incumbent third-line center Lars Eller on Nov. 13, Lizotte found himself back where he has largely skated throughout his seven-year career.

And from that station, he has found a pretty steady stream of production. In his past four games — all wins for the Penguins — Lizotte has generated five points (two goals, three assists).

“Definitely found some chemistry with (linemates Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Bunting),” Lizotte said after practice Thursday in Cranberry. “I’ve played 11 games now or so. There’s been some growing moments, for sure. But overall, I feel pretty good. I been pretty happy with, first and foremost, how the team has done since I’ve been back. Second, individually, how I’ve been able to contribute has been nice.”

Lizotte, Bunting and Beauvillier combined on the opening goal during a 6-2 home win against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Anthony Beauvillier with 02:46 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Blake Lizotte and Michael Bunting.

Pittsburgh: 1
Calgary: 0#CGYvsPIT #LetsGoPens #Flames pic.twitter.com/974G2iDn4v

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 1, 2024

Lizotte, a free-agent signing this past summer, was a somewhat steady offensive contributor with his previous team, the Los Angeles Kings, having reached double-digit goals in 2021-22 and 2022-23. But that’s hardly the most celebrated feature of his hard-scrabble game.

Undrafted out of St. Cloud State, he got to the NHL by being the cliched “energy” player, a role that entails blocking shots, forechecking and being a pest.

He has found kindred spirits in that pursuit with the vexing Bunting and fleet Beauvillier.

“We just play hard,” Bunting said. “We play in those areas (where) scrums do happen in the corner, in front of the net. (Lizotte) is there. Even (Beauvillier) as well isn’t afraid to go into those dirty areas and muck it up. All three of us complement each other. It’s a fun line to be a part of.”

It’s also a line that has attributes beyond “energy.”

“I think they bring more than that,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “They certainly bring energy for sure with the nature of how they play the game. They’re three guys that bring speed, tenacity, a north-south game. They have the ability to help us generate momentum. Pretty good on the forecheck because of their speed and their tenacious play. Without a doubt, they create energy and momentum for us. But I think there’s more to that line than just that.

“They have some offensive capability. (Lizotte) is a pretty sound defensive center iceman. He’s pretty cerebral with respect to his defensive-zone play and things of that nature. They certainly bring more than just energy on both sides of the puck.”

Lizotte has certainly brought it offensively. His five points lead the team — along with first-liners Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust — during the Penguins’ season-best winning streak.

“I know what I can bring to the table,” said Lizotte, who also has skated with forward Drew O’Connor in recent games. “For me, it’s just about opportunity. Here, the coaching staff has given me opportunity to play a few more minutes and get more (offensive) zone shifts, (offensive) zone starts. That’s been beneficial. Also, playing with good players (linemates). (Bunting, O’Connor and Beauvillier) are all offensively skilled players. For me, my job is to get them the puck. They’re good players, they make plays, which in turn allows me to get more scoring chances and create more.”

All of that has come with him at the team’s third-line center, a role — or even position — he didn’t figure to inhabit going into the season.

“I guess I didn’t really have any expectations coming in because of the numbers game,” Lizotte said. “You look at the lineup at the beginning of training camp, yeah, there’s a lot of depth there down the middle. For me, I just came with an open mind, whether it’s wing or center. Even defense.

“Wherever they put me is where I’m going to try to do my best.”