Kindel scored an empty-net goal on five shots in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel's empty-netter ended up being important, as the Rangers scored twice after that goal to pull within one. This was Kindel's second career game-winner, and he's up to 12 goals, 25 points, 103 shots on net, 43 blocked shots and a minus-6 rating through 50 appearances. The 18-year-old ended January hot with four goals and an assist over his last three contests.

Kindel scored a goal and an assist in Pittsburgh's 6-2 win over Chicago on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel has four points in his last two games. He had two goals on Sunday. He is now the third 18-year-old to score in consecutive games for the Penguins in the past 35 years. Who are the other two? Sidney Crosby (seven times in 2005-06) and Jordan Staal (four times in 2006-07). Kindel has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 49 games this season. That puts him in a tie for seventh in the NHL in the rookie scoring chase.

Kindel scored two goals on five shots in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel ended a 19-game goal drought in a big way. He had the Penguins' second and third tallies, and his second goal stood as the game-winner after the Canucks' comeback effort fell short. Kindel is up to 10 goals, 22 points, 97 shots on net, 42 blocked shots, 20 hits and a minus-10 rating over 48 appearances. He's still in a third-line role, but the 18-year-old has already showed some promise as a rookie.

Kindel logged two assists, including one on the power play, and two shots on goal in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel set up Ville Koivunen's opening goal 1:50 into the game and Thomas Novak's power-play tally in the third period. This was Kindel's first multi-point effort since Dec. 14 versus the Mammoth. He's warming up again with four helpers (two on the power play) over his last five outings. For the season, the 18-year-old rookie has contributed 18 points, 79 shots on net, 36 blocked shots, 16 hits and a minus-11 rating through 38 appearances, mainly in a third-line role with power-play time.

Kindel had a goal and two assists in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Mammoth.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel cracked the scoresheet in back-to-back games for the second time this season, and this was also the first time he posted three points. He previously had two multi-point efforts -- on Nov. 3 against the Maple Leafs and Nov. 6 against the Capitals. Kindel is a promising prospect in the Penguins' system and is showing glimpses of what he can bring to the table this season. He's up to 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 28 games.

Kindel scored a power-play goal on five shots and blocked two shots in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Kindel stretched the Penguins' lead to 3-0 midway through the second period. He's scored twice over his last three games while continuing to play in a middle-six role. The 18-year-old center is up to seven goals, 10 points, 49 shots on net, 25 blocked shots, 10 hits and a minus-8 rating through 23 appearances. He may sit out occasionally as part of his development plan, but Kindel's quickly established himself as part of the Penguins' system thanks to his willingness to do defensive work.

Kindel scored a goal Saturday in a 7-2 loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

He batted it baseball-style off Scott Laughton's shoulder and past Dennis Hildeby. It came on the power play. In an odd twist, half of Kindel's six goals have come against the Maple Leafs. He put up two in Toronto on Nov. 3. Kindel has nine points -- including six power-play points -- and 42 shots in 21 games this season. Not bad for an 18-year-old who was drafted five months ago.

Kindel notched two power-play assists in Thursday's 5-3 win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

With injuries piling up for the Penguins, Kindel found himself elevated not only to the first line but also the No. 1 power-play unit, where he is playing with three future Hall-of-Famers. The 18-year-old Kindel didn't look out of place at all, even feeding a cross-ice pass to Sidney Crosby. When the team is fully healthy, Kindel likely will be shifted back to the third-line center role, but he may have secured his place on the top power-play unit with Thursday's performance.

Kindel scored two goals, one on the power play, in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The 18-year-old rookie recorded his first multi-goal performance in the NHL, and Kindel's efforts helped give the Penguins a 3-0 lead heading into the third period, only for everything to come crashing down over the final 20 minutes. Kindel's getting a look on the top power-play unit -- two of his last three tallies have come with the man advantage -- with Rickard Rakell (hand) and Justin Brazeau (upper body) nursing injuries, and his first five NHL points have all been goals. Through his first 12 games, Kindel's added 26 shots on net, 10 blocked shots, eight hits and a minus-1 rating.

Kindel scored a power-play goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

This was Kindel's 10th career game, so his entry-level contract has officially started. That likely means the Penguins will keep him on the NHL roster throughout the season, though Team Canada may inquire about his availability for the World Junior Championship in December. Kindel has three goals, 17 shots on net, eight blocked shots and a minus-1 rating so far, and he's filling a third-line role when in the lineup. The 18-year-old will have his usage managed early on, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him become an everyday player in the second half of the campaign.