This was always going to be an important year for Justin Schultz.
The Penguins needed him to have a big year because he was expected to help power their second defense pairing — alongside Marcus Pettersson — and play what might be an even bigger role on the power play. Overall, that pairing has produced solid results. They have played big minutes and produced strong possession numbers. The goal differential could be better, but their PDO points to a duo that has probably been a little on the unlucky side. They have had some shifts where haven’t looked particularly good, but overall I think they’ve been passable.